Syrian rebels ready to fight regime troops after taking control of border crossing

(19 Sep 2012) Syrian rebels seized control of a strategic border crossing on the frontier with Turkey on Wednesday. Turkish authorities quickly closed the area and police prevented a crowd from trying to storm the border and cross into Syria. A group of rebel fighters was seen milling around the border area. One rebel fighter, Sheikh Ahmed, said that now they control the base they will repel President Bashar Assad's forces. "We're staying here no matter what," he said. "We took it from dictator Bashar Assad," he added. Another group was receiving treatment at a medical centre in Ackakale, near the border. "We put up the free army flag. We surrounded the administration building and we took control of it. Either today or tomorrow we finish them off," said Syrian rebel, Mahmoud El Jassem. According to media reports, Wednesday's takeover comes after a day of fierce clashes as rebels and regime forces fought for control of the crossing. Syria's rebels have captured several other border crossings into Turkey, as well as one into Iraq, but Wednesday's seizure of the Tal Abyad post is believed to be the first time they have overrun a frontier post in the northern province of Raqqa. Capturing such border crossings provides a strategic and logistical boost to the opposition, allowing them to ferry supplies into Syria and carve out an area of control, which is key as the rebels try to tip the balance in the civil war. There was no official reaction form Turkish authorities at the scene. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...