Smoke rises from the town of Atareb in the Syrian province of Aleppo.br br It's the result of ongoing clashes between government forces and rebels - part of the violent uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.br br This rebel commander says Assad's forces attacked with 20 tanks and 10 pick up trucks full of militia because the town's residents called for a free Syria.br br Elsewhere in the province, U.N. observers spoke to residents in Babto who highlighted the extent of destruction in their town.br br U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned on Thursday that the ongoing loss of life in Syria has pushed the country to a tipping point.br br He said the country could plunge into a civil war from which it might never recover.br br Simon Hanna, Reuters. .