Fierce fighting raged between rebels and government forces for control of the airport in the northern city of Aleppo, a strategic target for both sides.br br Syria's state news agency says "armed terrorist groups" - regime shorthand for the rebels - had been pushed from both sides of the airport by government troops.br br It was the first official acknowledgement combat had neared a strategic gateway to the country's largest city.br br Al Jazeera's Dominic Kane reports.