Syrian government claims advances in Aleppo; rebels deny

epa03351297 An undated handout TV grab made available on 08 August 2012 by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) shows Syrian government soldiers during clashes with the alleged armed rebel groups in Salaheddine district in Aleppo, Syria. Fierce battles continued to grip most areas of the northern city of Aleppo 08 August, as Syria’s government said that its troops had made significant gains – a claim denied by rebels. Mustapha al-Mustapha, a Free Syrian Army commander inside the rebel-held Salaheddine neighborhood, said battles are still raging at the entrance of the embattled district. The district of Salaheddine in southern Aleppo has been the scene of fierce fighting between President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and rebels for two weeks now. HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES