Assad troops hit back in Aleppo
Pro-government forces in Syria have hit back after rebels seized parts of Syria's economic capital, Aleppo, and tried to move into its historic old city, BBC reports.
On Tuesday evening, fighter jets and helicopters attacked eastern areas of Aleppo as part of a coordinated attack aimed at recapturing districts seized by rebels since the weekend.
It was thought to be the first time that fighter planes had been deployed in such a way during the uprising that began in March 2011.
Civilians as well as rebel fighters were among the dead and wounded, a BBC correspondent reported.
Early on Wednesday morning, activists said Syrian forces had fired artillery and rocket barrages on a northern Damascus suburb, forcing hundreds of families to flee the area.
They said that reports suggested that residential blocks of flats had been hit in the attack on al-Tel, Reuters reports.
"Military helicopters are flying now over the town. People were awakened by the sound of explosions and are running away," activist Rafe Alam said.
No information is available at this time regarding the victims.
