Syria: shells hit town of Darkush during Friday prayers The northwestern Syrian town of Darkush came under renewed attack on Friday as several shells hit around the town during prayers. A commander told AFP that rebels were engaging the government army in the neighbouring christian village of al-Yacobi, where they claim government forces are using the church as a shelter and fighting base. Rebels also say they are planning an operation to "liberate" nearby Jisr al-Shughur, a strategic city in the province of Idlib, on the main route between Latakia and Aleppo. Images and soundbites