Rebels capture Syrian oil field and town

Rebels have captured most of an oil field in the energy-rich north-east, the latest in a string of strategic conquests this week that also included a dam and the defences around a major airport.

The opposition fighters trying to oust President Bashar al-Assad also captured the town of Shadadah, near the Jbeysa oil field in hotly contested Hasaka province, said the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Opposition fighters were battling regime forces for the third day for control of the main airport in the northern city of Aleppo.