Anti-Assad rebels seize Syrian airbase

[NewsCaster]

 By ReutersAMMAN -- Syrian rebels said on  Sunday they had captured a helicopter base east of Damascus after an overnight  assault, their latest gain in a costly battle to unseat President Bashar  al-Assad that is drawing nearer to his seat of power.

The Marj al-Sultan  base, 15 km (10 miles) from the capital, is the second military facility on the  outskirts of the city reported to have fallen to Assad's opponents this month.

Activists said rebels had destroyed two helicopters and taken 15  prisoners.

"We are coming for you Bashar," a rebel shouted in an  internet video of what activists said was Marj al-Sultan. Restrictions on  non-state media meant it could not be verified.Slideshow: Syria uprising / A look back at the violence that has overtaken the country.Launch slideshow

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