Battle scars of Aleppo

The mosques and churches in the Syrian city of Aleppo have not been spared the ravages of war.

Opposition flags are flying over parts of the city.

Residents say the holy sites were bombed by warplanes and were also the scene of pitched battles between government and rebel forces.

Rebels are blaming much of the destruction on the government's use of warplanes.

SOUNDBITE: UNIDENTIFIED REBEL FIGHTER SAYING (Arabic):

"We are here to free this city, to protect unarmed civilians but when the army couldn't stop us with their rifles and canons the regime started to use warplanes. Look what they've done. Look at these holy places. Saint Ortan church here has been bombed. Nothing is out of shelling range, not the fighters nor the civilians."

U.S. and European officials say the rebels are making gains in Syria, eroding the power of President Bashar al-Assad.

But they agree the fighting has not yet shifted decisively in their favour and the war is very far from over.