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Syrian opposition alliance seizes strategic areas in Aleppo

AMMAN, July 3 (KUNA) -- An alliance of Syrian opposition has seized control of strategic posts in Aleppo, north of the country, following clashes with the regime, a monitoring group said on Friday.
Heavy clashes erupted Thursday night through Friday dawn between the groups of Ansar Al-Sharia Operation Room, and the regime supported by Hezbollah militants, National Defense Forces and other allied fighters in various parts of old quarter of Aleppo, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Both sides suffered huge casualties, the Observatory noted.
The recently announced 13-group alliance yesterday launched a joint operation to free Aleppo from the regime forces, it said in a statement. The alliance noted that they would later seek a joint charter to manage the province once they control it.
Meanwhile, the regime intensified shelling of many parts of the Rif Dimashq (Damascus countryside) after midnight yesterday.
Clashes took place between the regime and Hezbollah militants, National Defense Forces on one hand and Islamic opposition groups on the other in Al-Zabadani city. At least, three opposition fighters were killed. Regime gunships have hit the area with 24 barrels bombs.
In the meantime, the international coalition launched two air strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Raqqa.
Clashes also erupted between the Kurdish People's Protection Units and ISIL militants southwest of Tal Abyad town north of Raqqa. Similar clashes were reported in Ain Al-Arab (Cobane) near the Turkish borders, killing 10 ISIL members and one element from the Units. (end) tk.msa