Warplanes and helicopters of Syrian Air Force the main advantage of al-Assad against the rebels

Syrian warplanes have been bombing the northern cities of Homs and Raqqa, and even the outskirts of Damascus, to block advancing rebel forces, attacks that underline the critical role the air force in the Damascus regime's battle to stay in power. "The Syrian air force is the main advantage the regime has over the rebels," the U.S. global security consultancy Stratfor observed.

Screen capture of video shows MiG-29 of Syrian air Force during military training exercises in July 2012.

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