A view shows an empty Syrian Army post at the outskirt of the Syrian village of Rankus, near the Lebanese-Syrian borders, January 3, 2013. A Lebanese citizen who crossed into Syria through a mountainous frontier region said the army appeared to have withdrawn from several border posts and villages in the area. Rebels controlled a line of border towns and villages north of the capital Damascus, stretching about 40 km (25 miles) from Yabroud south to Rankus, said the man, who did not want to be named and visi

From Qusair to Yabrud: Shiite foreign fighters in Syria

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A view shows an empty Syrian Army post at the outskirt of the Syrian village of Rankus, near the Lebanese-Syrian borders, January 3, 2013. A Lebanese citizen who crossed into Syria through a mountainous frontier region said the army appeared to have withdrawn from several border posts and villages in the area. Rebels controlled a line of border towns and villages north of the capital Damascus, stretching about 40 km (25 miles) from Yabroud south to Rankus, said the man, who did not want to be named and visi

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