Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — Sunni rebels have assumed control over parts of Syria’s
border with Turkey.

Opposition sources said Sunni rebels have captured Syrian facilities
along the 900-kilometer border with Turkey. They said at least two border
crossings were in the hands of Sunni fighters linked to the Turkish-based
Free Syrian Army.

“This has allowed us to bring in unprecedented amounts of fighters and equipment,” an opposition source said.

The sources said rebel control over parts of the Syrian border with
Turkey has hampered the military campaign by President Bashar Assad to recapture Aleppo, the nation’s largest city and business capital. They said fighters continued to reach Aleppo from the Turkish border 50 kilometers away despite heavy shelling by the Syrian Army and Air Force.

In July, FSA as well as Islamist militias captured several
checkpoints and two border facilities along the Turkish frontier. The rebel campaign has allowed towns and villages to establish independent councils that received help, including food and fuel, financed by Gulf Cooperation Council states.

The sources said the only Assad military facility from Aleppo to Turkey
was the Mennigh Air Base near the city of 2.2 million people. They said the
base, supplied by aircraft, has been largely cut off by the rebels.

FSA officers have been deployed at the two border facilities. The
officers were processing travelers and trucks and welcomed them to “Free
Syria.”

On Aug. 11, Turkey and the United States discussed the prospect of
heightened military and security cooperation to protect against an Assad
attack. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Turkish Foreign Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu announced plans for a working group designed to rapidly
respond to developments in Syria.

Among the scenarios were an attempt by Assad to use his weapons of mass
destruction arsenal or stage a major strike on Syrian civilians. The two
foreign ministers said the working group would coordinate in the areas of military
and intelligence operations.

“If there is a huge wave of refugee migration, then we need to maybe
establish a mechanism within Syria in order to ensure humanitarian
protection,” Davutoglu said.

  Ahmet Davutoglu, Aleppo, allowing for easy flow of fighters, arms into Syria, Bashar Assad, Free Syrian Army, Mennigh Air Base, Syrian rebels take control of border area near Turkey