Activists: Syrian Government Forces Still Pounding Aleppo

Syrian opposition activists say government forces are continuing a ground and air assault on the nation's largest city, Aleppo, in what the United States says it fears could become a massacre.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said President Bashar al-Assad's forces were using helicopter gunships in several Aleppo neighborhoods Friday -- the eighth day of fighting in the city. The group reported clashes and explosions in other areas of the city, as well as several deaths. One of the dead included an imam whose body the activists say was found Friday after unknown gunmen abducted him from his mosque Thursday night.

The group also reported deadly attacks by government forces in Dera'a province and said violent clashes were taking place between troops and rebels in the city of Idlib.

Aleppo Neighborhoods

x

Aleppo Neighborhoods

​​Aleppo, the nation's commercial capital, had been relatively quiet until July 20, when rebels launched an operation to seize control of the densely-populated city near the Turkish border.

US voices concern

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Thursday that there were columns of tanks outside Aleppo that seemed to be massing for an attack. She said the Obama administration has "grave concerns" about the use of tanks and fighter jets in the city.

"This is the concern, that we will see a massacre in Aleppo, and that's what the regime appears to be lining up for," said Nuland.

She said thousands of people are fleeing the government "onslaught" on the commercial capital.

"This is another desperate attempt by a regime that is going down to try to maintain control, and we are greatly concerned about what they are capable of in Aleppo," Nuland said.

Assad loses support

As the violence continued in Aleppo, media reports Friday said a Syrian lawmaker from the city has fled to Turkey, becoming the first member of Syria's parliament to defect during the 16-month uprising.

Ikhlas Badawi reportedly told Sky News Arabia she defected because of the Assad government's repression and torture of the Syrian people.

The news comes just days after the defections of Syria's ambassadors to Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates, blows to President Assad characterized by the White House as an indication that his "days are numbered."

Assad has also faced the defections of Syria's ambassador to Iraq and a number of high-ranking military officers, including his one-time confidante Manaf Tlas, a top general in the Republican Guard.

Some information in this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters