SYRIAN REBELS SEIZE COUNTRY'S LARGEST DAM

SYRIAN REBELS SEIZE COUNTRY'S LARGEST DAM

csty Fox

Syrian rebels have been reported to be in control of a dam on the Euphrates river critical to the production of electricity.

The dam is the largest hydro-electric installation in the country.

The capture of the valuable asset is the latest and probably most significant blow against  the regime of Bashar al Assad.  More surprisingly, the heavily guarded dam was conquered in a swift battle by the rebels.

The dam continues to function at the moment, since the rebels seem to be controlling the entrances but have not breeched the installation's control room.

A statue of the late rules and Bashar al Assad's father was set on fire in a neighbouring town.  

The dam supplies power to the nearby city of Aleppo.  It is yet unclear if the dam, which is still supplying power to the city, will be shut down or not.  

Source: New York Times 2.11.13