20 killed in Aleppo rocket attack as Syrian army defends airport

European ministers have backed a change in policy on assisting rebels Damascus – George Al Shami Syrian opposition forces have announced 20 deaths following a rocket attack by the Syrian army, as fighting for the city’s main airport continues. Opposition operatives reported on Tuesday that a rocket attack by government forces struck the rebel-controlled Aleppo district of Jabal Badro, killing at least 20 people with 25 still missing.
Bodies are still being dug out of the rubble.
The opposition says the rocket attack was in retaliation for advances made by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in its battle for Aleppo Airport and the Nairab Airbase.
Syrian Local Coordination Committees (LLCs) have meanwhile reported that "at least 27 Syrians" were killed nationwide on Tuesday, including in the bombarded town of al-Mleiheh in Rif Dimashq.
Shelling and clashes continue in Harasta and al-Kalmoun, with the FSA attacking Syrian army positions in Rif Dimashq.
Damascus was bombarded by tanks and rocket launchers and homes in the Kabrin area on the southern ring road between Jobar and Ayn Tarma were burnt down.
The LCCs also report that the FSA "totally destroyed" the Haramla Bridge one week ago, also killing “dozens of shabiha [government militias].”
Activist sources have claimed the attack was carried out by members of the Islam Brigade.
The LCCs also reported the defection
 of the 93rd Battalion in Adra, Rif Dimashq.
Activists have also posted a video online claiming to show the “liberation” of Ghassan Abboud Square in Aleppo province. The video shows widespread destruction however the location of the video has not yet been independently verified.
British-based conflict watchdog, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, meanwhile reported the death of 3,000 FSA members since the outbreak of the 22-month conflict. The figure represents six percent of the Syrian war’s total death toll.
A report published on Monday in the New York Times has said that US President Barack Obama may review an earlier decision from November 2012 not to arm Syrian rebels.
The decision, the report said, "left the White House with no clear strategy to resolve a crisis that has bedevilled it since a popular uprising erupted against President Bashar al-Assad almost two years ago."
"Despite an American programme of non-lethal assistance to the opponents of the Syrian government and $365m in humanitarian aid, Mr Obama appears to be running out of ways to speed Mr Assad’s exit," the New York Times reported.
White House officials are reportedly considering providing weapons to “break the impasse in Syria.”
European Union ministers have repeatedly blocked arms transfer to Syrian rebels, particularly following the large-scale influx of foreign jihadists in the country, such as al-Qaeda and Jabhat al-Nusra.
European foreign ministers have backed a UK-led bid to lift the arms moratorium by providing “non-lethal assistance and technical support” whilst ensuring the “protection of civilians” in Syria.
The news comes as Russia stepped up its campaign to return Russian nationals from inside Syria.
A Russian Defence Ministry statement on Tuesday announced four more warships were being sent to the Mediterranean on “military service,” while national media sources claimed the vessels were being used for civilian evacuation operations.
Russia is widely understood to be the Syrian regime's staunchest ally, having vetoed three UN resolutions to increase pressure on Damascus to end the conflict.