Syrian rebels have captured 32 soldiers and pro-government gunmen near the northern city of Aleppo, according to activists.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Aleppo-based activist Ahmad Hamed said the troops were seized in the village of Ratyan after it was retaken by the rebels on Wednesday.
The Observatory said rebels have also recaptured the village of Hardatnein, two days after it was taken by government forces.
The Observatory and Mr Hamed say intense clashes are taking outside a third village, Bashkoy, which was also taken by the government two days ago.
The fighting comes as UN envoy Staffan de Mistura is trying to broker a truce for the war-ravaged Aleppo, Syria's largest city.
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