US News

Assad foes shut airport

Fierce fighting between government troops and rebels forced the closing of the international airport in Syria’s largest city as insurgents made new inroads to topple the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

At least 69 people were killed in the violence across Syria, watchdog groups said.

All flights in and out of Aleppo were canceled while a Syrian army base protecting the airport came under heavy insurgent fire.

The rebels have targeted aviation centers in recent weeks

In a fresh blow to Assad, a Turkish diplomat said some 20 Syrian soldiers, including a general, defected yesterday and fled to Turkey.