Syria Islamist rebels seize Christian town

[jakeXT]

12. It's a bit confusing

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Rebels including al-Qaida-linked fighters gained control of a Christian village northeast of the capital Damascus, Syrian activists said Sunday. Government media provided a dramatically different account of the battle suggesting regime forces were winning.

It was impossible to independently verify the reports from Maaloula, a scenic mountain community known for being one of the few places in the world where residents still speak the ancient Middle Eastern language of Aramaic.

...

"The army pulled back to the outskirts of the village and both (rebel groups) are in total control of Maaloula now," he told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

He said pro-government fighters remain inside the village, in hiding.

http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/Activists-Syrian-rebels-take-Christian-village-4796452.php