Rebels in Syria Execute 51 Soldiers in Offensive This Week

Assad's opposition has captured army positions in the north and south of Syria

(Reuters)—Syrian rebels say they have overrun army positions in the north and south of the country this week, including an offensive in which a rights monitoring group said 51 soldiers were executed.

Insurgents have focused on taking isolated army outposts, mostly in rural areas while forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have made gains in recent months around the capital Damascus and the central city of Homs.