Syria tension hits new heights

At least 34 people were killed on Sunday in Syria, including 18 troops who died in clashes with rebels, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

At least 34 people were killed on Sunday in Syria, including 18 troops who died in clashes with rebels, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

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"The clashes happened almost simultaneously at dawn," in the northern province of Aleppo bordering Turkey, the Observatory's head Rami Abdel Rahman said.

The fighting took place in Dara Aza, and at military checkpoints near the town of Al-Atarib and the village of Kafr Halab, the UK-based watchdog said.

Following an attack on an artillery battalion also in Aleppo, a number of soldiers defected, taking with them a large quantity of weapons.