Syrian opposition continue advance by taking major airport

Syrian opposition forces took control on Thursday of al-Thula military airport in Suweida, southern Syria.

"The rebels announce that they have taken full control of al-Thula airport in Suweida province," a pro-opposition Syrian media organisation, Syria Direct, said.

The Syrian Revolution Coordinators Union has confirmed the report.

Several armed factions had announced on Wednesday the launch of a new operation named "Crush the Tryants", the aim of which would be to seize al-Thula airport, where regime forces had fled to after the opposition tightened its grip on Brigade 52, formerly the second-largest Syrian regime base in Deraa, which they took on Tuesday.

Brigade 52 was seen as one of the main lines of defence for the capital Damascus.