Syrian rebels cut major desert road linking the country's 2 largest cities
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In this citizen journalism image provided by Edlib News Network, ENN, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, anti-Syrian regime protesters hold a poster depicting Syrian President Bashar Assad, left, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, right, during a demonstration, at Kafr Nabil town, in Idlib province, northern Syria, Friday May 10, 2013. Arabic banner on the background reads, "Kafr Nabil." (AP Photo/Edlib News Network ENN) (The Associated Press)
A Syrian activist says rebels have been able to cut a newly built desert road linking the capital Damascus with the northern city of Aleppo.
Rami-Abdul-Rahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Saturday rebels took over two army posts on the road near Aleppo after days of fighting.
The regime built the desert road as a backup route after rebels captured the town of Maaret al-Numan in October cutting the main highway between the country's two largest cities.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Observatory also reported clashes in the town of Qusair, near the border with Lebanon.
The fighting in the town came a day after U.N. commissioner for human rights Navi Pillay expessed alarm over Qusair, which has been besieged by Syrian troops for several weeks.