Assad government sends tanks towards restive city of Aleppo

The Syrian army turned its forces on Aleppo yesterday, ordering an armoured column to advance on the country’s second biggest city and pounding rebels there with artillery and attack helicopters, opposition activists said.

As hostilities intensified near the Turkish border, Ankara said it was closing its crossing posts, although the United Nations said refugees fleeing Syria would be allowed through.

Syria’s ambassadors to the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus – a married couple – have deserted their posts, becoming the latest officials to abandon the Damascus government, rebels said.

The 16-month revolt against President Bashar al-Assad has been transformed from an insurgency in remote provinces into a battle for control of the two main cities, Aleppo and the capital, Damascus.

“We are expecting a big attack on Aleppo,” local activist Mohammed Saeed said via Skype. He said about 80 tanks had been spotted being hauled by trucks towards the city.

He added: “People are worried they might be hit by random shelling and are fleeing.”