Extremist rebels in Syria have overrun an army base and taken at least 13 villages in one of the biggest flare-ups of violence in years in the country's north-east. The rebels launched a surprise attack on the Syrian army in the northern province of Aleppo,

They took advantage of Israel’s war with Hezbollah and they have seen the Iranian presence is weaker,' says  analyst

Russian forces in Syria are under attack from rebel groups in the Syrian capital, Aleppo, in response to increased strikes.