UNDATED (CBS) -- Syria's prime minster claims he has defected. He would be the highest level official to flee the regime. It's another setback for President Assad, as he fights to keep control of the city of Aleppo.
Fires burn and piles of rubble fill the streets of Syria's largest city. This amateur video claims to show the aftermath of a government bombardment in Aleppo.
The army is threatening a "decisive battle" to drive back the rebels. But even as President Bashar Al-Assad fights to stay in power, there are signs that the government may be weakening. State media reported Assad fired Prime Minister Riyad Hijab but Hijab claims he defected to join the revolution.
Speaking from Jordan, Hijab's spokesman says the prime minister had been planning his defection for more than two months and that he's choosing to be among the Syrian people. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney says, "The momentum is with the opposition and with the Syrian people. It's clear these defections are reaching the highest level of the Syrian government and Assad cannot restore his control over the country."
As the violence continues, Syrian refugees are crossing into Turkey. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will head to Istanbul this week to discuss the crisis with the Turkish government.
For now, the refugees are packed into tent camps. Turkey has taken in tens of thousands of refugees so far. And with violence raging in Syria's largest city, the government is concerned about a new wave of civilians arriving for help.