Syrian troops capture Crusades-era citadel
By BASSEM MROUE, Associated Press
Mar 20, 2014 8:30 AM CDT
This Tuesday, March. 18, 2014 photo provided by the anti-government activist group Aleppo Media Center (AMC), which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows a Syrian man helping a wounded man from the scene after a government airstrike in Aleppo, Syria. Activists said...   (Associated Press)

BEIRUT (AP) — Activists say Syrian troops have captured a famous Crusades-era citadel near the border with Lebanon after days of intense fighting against opposition fighters.

Lebanese private broadcaster Al-Mayadeen TV aired live footage of Syrian troops raising the national flag on the towering hilltop perch of the Crac des Chevaliers.

A Homs-based activist who goes with the name of Beibares Tellawi told The Associated Press that the castle fell into the hands of government troops on Thursday.

Syrian state television also said troops captured the castle.

The citadel, one of the world's best-preserved castles from the era of the Crusades, had been held by rebels since 2012.

Syrian troops have been on the offensive over the past months in areas close to the Lebanese border, aiming to cut rebel supply lines.

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