Army rebels blitz Syrian spy base
Syrian army defectors today attacked an intelligence base near Damascus in the rebels' most audacious attack of the eight-month uprising.
The Free Syrian Army fired shoulder-mounted rockets and machineguns at the Air Force Intelligence compound.
Similar strikes were reported at military checkpoints in four of the capital's suburbs. They came as the Arab League prepared for a meeting to discuss its decision to suspend Syria from the group - a move that appeared to inspire anti-regime fighters.
The AFI is one of Syria's most feared agencies and is at the forefront of efforts to suppress protests against President Bashar al-Assad.
The UN says the action has led to the deaths of more than 3,500. The army defectors are understood to have divided into groups to attack the Harasta spy base from three sides. A gunfight ensued and helicopters were reported hovering overhead.
A resident said: "I heard several explosions and the sound of machinegun fire being exchanged."
The free army was formed by defectors opposed to Assad and claimed to have 15,000 members by last month. Its stated aim is to "stand up to the irresponsible military machine protecting the regime".
Attacks near Damascus are rare and clashes between defectors and government troops have in the past been concentrated in the regions of Idlib, Homs and Daraa.
Today's assault came two days after defectors killed 34 pro-regime soldiers and members of security in Daraa.
In a rare move among Arab leaders, a Saudi prince said Assad now had no choice but to resign because of his "lack of remorse". Prince Turki al-Faisal, a former Saudi intelligence chief, said it was "inevitable Assad would have to step down in one form or another".
As the diplomatic pressure rose, Syria released more than 1,000 prisoners, including prominent dissident Kamal Labwani. The government also said it would boycott today's meeting of Arab foreign ministers in protest at the League's decision to suspend it, which is due to be implemented tomorrow.
