BEIRUT: A Syrian rebel alliance said it had captured an air base from the army in southern Syria Thursday, a gain that would compound setbacks for President Bashar Assad in the area after losing a nearby military base this week.

However, Syrian state television denied claims that they had taken over an army airport along the border with Jordan and said the army had so far repelled three attacks on the area.

Issam al-Rayyes, spokesman for the Southern Front alliance of rebel groups, said Al-Thaaleh air base in Swaida province had been "liberated."

A second rebel commander however said the base had yet to fall to the insurgents. Bashar al-Zoubi, head of the Yarmouk Army, said he expected that to happen before the day ended.