Syrians receive gas after regime forces end siege on Shiite town Syrian government troops moved closer on Thursday to encircling rebels in the country's second city Aleppo, entering two Shiite villages that had been under rebel siege and threatening a total siege after cutting their main supply line. Since it began Monday, the offensive has seen troops sever the main rebel supply route from Aleppo city to the Turkish border, allowing them to also end a long-running opposition siege on two Shiite towns on the same road, Nubol and Zahraa. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES