Islam Times - 150 killed in clashes over Aleppo international airport

Islam Times - At least 150 people have been killed in two days of clashes between the Syrian army and militants in the northern city of Aleppo, an opposition watchdog says.

Opposition activists said on Friday that heavy fighting for control of the international airport in Aleppo and the nearby Nairab airfield has killed some 150 militants and government soldiers over the past two days.

The airport and the military airfield both remain under government control.

Reports also say militants and government forces are shelling each other in fresh clashes in and around the Aleppo airport.

Meanwhile, there are reports of clashes between government forces and foreign-backed militants in the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr and Damascus suburbs. The Syrian army says it has killed several militant leaders in Damascus countryside and inflicted heavy loses on terrorists in Dayr al-Zawr.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March 2011. Many people, including large numbers of security personnel, have been killed in the violence.

The Syrian government says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals.

In a key speech on January 6, Assad called for an end to the terrorist operations inside Syria and urged "concerned states and parties" to stop funding, arming and harboring militants.

He added that his government is always ready to hold talks with the opposition and would call for a "comprehensive national dialog" after foreign parties end their support for the militants and the terrorist activities cease in the country.