Syrian rebels seize border post in gun battle

An Associated Press reporter at the scene said Syrians on the Turkish side of the border were celebrating and yelling: “I am a free Syrian!”

There had been fierce clashes between rebels and regime forces for control of the Tal Abyad crossing.

Turkey’s private Dogan news agency said earlier yesterday that the rebels surrounded the customs building at Tal Abyad and engaged in an intense fire fight with Syrian sharp-shooters positioned at the building.

Several people were wounded in the battles and were taken to Turkey for treatment, the report said. Civilians escaping the violence reported that several people were killed in fighting.

Syria’s rebels control several other crossings into Turkey but it is believed to be the first time they have tried to take one in the northern province of Raqqa.

Taking control of border crossings helps the opposition ferry in supplies and carve out an area of control.