Here are some photographs from my December trip into the rebel enclave of Aleppo province in northern Syria. The first picture is the room I slept in. The stove was being fed by crude oil and as a result stopped functioning: so we had some pretty cold nights.

The Stove Failed To Work

In the rebel-controlled town of Tal Rifat locals resorted to chopping up mature olive trees for firewood.

Chopping Up Mature Olive Trees For Firewood

No gas stations, of course. The only way to fill up was from dealers using small tanks. Fuel is rationed by FSA rebels.

No Gas Stations: This Is The Way To Fill Up

In December rebels — with Jihadists in the vanguard — managed after several days of fighting to capture a sprawling army base and infantry school just to the north of Aleppo city. The rebels wasted no time in defacing murals of the Assads, spraying new colors at the entrance and hauling away seized ammunition and weapons.

Rebel Celebrates The Capturing Of Army Weapons Near Aleppo

Rebel Spray Paints New Syrian Colors At Entrance Of Captured Army Base Near Aleppo

Rebel truck laden with ammunition seized from a captured Syrian army base near Aleppo

Defacing Assad

In Aleppo city and in rebel towns around medical facilities are in short supply. They are targeted by Assad’s warplanes. This building housed before it was destroyed by an air strike an emergency medical clinic.

Aleppo: An Emergency Clinic Had Been Housed Here