Rebels seize Deraa army post in battle for cradle of Syria revolt

Damaged cars are seen near a screen erected to protect against snipers loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, at the al-Khalidiya neighbourhood of Homs June 28, 2013. REUTERS/Yazan Homsy

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian rebels said they had overrun a major military checkpoint in Deraa on Friday and hoped it would allow them to capture the southern city, the cradle of their 27-month-old uprising.

Activists uploaded video showing fighters blowing up two high-rise buildings that had flanked the army post, flattening the entire area in a cloud of dust.