Syria rebels claim to have taken city of Raqqah

Video shows a jubilant crowd toppling a statue of Hafe Assad, father of President Bashar Assad. In Iraq, the government reports at least 40 Syrian soldiers killed in an ambush across the border.

BEIRUT— The Syrian opposition said Monday that rebel fighters had taken control of much of the north-central city of Raqqah, where video showed jubilant residents toppling a statue of former leader Hafe Assad, father of the president.