Intense fighting between Syrian government troops and rebels trying to tighten their siege of two military bases in the north-east was reported by activists today.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Co-ordination Committees said rebels had destroyed at least one tank near the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province.

Rebels have been attacking the nearby bases of Wadi Deif and Hamdiyeh for weeks. The Observatory said the rebels are trying to cut roads which supply the two bases.

Besieged government bases are a recent focus of fighting in Syria's conflict, which according to the UN has killed more than 60,000 people since March 2011.

Last week rebels captured the nearby airbase of Taftanaz, dealing a significant blow to President Bashar Assad's regime.

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