Syrian army preparing for rebel assault at airport at Aleppo

ALEPPO, Syria, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Syrian rebels were planning to attack an airport on the outskirts of Aleppo, Fars News Agency reported Monday.

An unnamed Syrian military source told the Iranian news agency fighters were preparing for a battle at the Kowaires Airport, .

"After the fierce battle in Menagh Military Airbase in Northern Reef Aleppo, the armed rebels are now planning to attack Kowaires Military Airport in the Eastern countryside of the city," the source said.

"The Kowaires Military Airport has already come under numerous attacks by the armed rebels, the latest of which was in August when the terrorists got very close to the airport's air defense systems, but all of them were either killed or wounded during heavy clashes," the source added.

Meanwhile, Fars reported the rebels sustained heavy losses in battles in the countryside near Damascus.

A Syrian army official said troops raided a rebel base and seized large amounts of weapons and ammunition in Darayya.

Several rebels were killed or wounded during the raid, the official said.