Syrian children wait in line for food distribution at a refugee camp near the Turkish border, in Azaz, Syria, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Manu Brabo)

BEIRUT (AP) — Activists say Syrian rebels have captured parts of a large army base in the country's north, just west of the city of Aleppo.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the rebels entered the Sheik Suleiman base on Sunday afternoon, after weeks of fighting.

The development indicates the rebels are strengthening their grip on northern areas near the Turkish border. Last month, they captured another large base near Aleppo.

The Observatory says the rebels seized a key sector of the base. Amateur videos released by activists showed gunmen walking inside the base, carrying a jihadist black Islamic flag.

The footage also shows rebels driving around in a captured tank and manning heavy anti-aircraft machine guns. The activist videos appear genuine and correspond to AP's reporting on the events depicted.

Associated Press
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.