Syrian activists say an average of six people died every
hour last month in the war-torn country.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights
released a statement Saturday saying 4,532 people died from unrest in Syria
during the month of October. This equates to 147 people dying each day and six
dying each hour.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
said rebels launched an offensive against government troops Saturday morning to
take the northern Taftanaz airbase. The base is near the main highway between
the capital Damascus and the northern city of Aleppo, where rebels and the
military have been battling for control for months.
On Friday, the Observatory said rebels had taken control of Saraqeb, a
strategic northern town crucial to the government's fierce campaign against
rebels in the embattled city of Aleppo. The Observatory also said forces loyal
to President Bashar al-Assad had completely withdrawn from the town.
Government troops have for months been fighting rebel forces for control of
Aleppo, Syria's largest city and commercial capital. The Syrian conflict is
entering its 20th month and has caused the deaths of an estimated 36,000
people. Hundreds of people were killed in the past week as the government has
stepped up airstrikes against rebel-controlled areas