Rebels claim key Syrian town

Amateur video posted to a social media website purports to show rebel fighters engaged in fierce gun battles with government forces in the town of Maarat al Numan, in northwestern Syria.

As battles rage on the streets, helicopters circle overhead -- some of them engaged by rebel guns.

The rebels claim to have liberated the strategic town.

Reuters can't independently verify the content of the video, allegedly filmed on Tuesday.

As the fighting dies down, the video shows a building, said to have been occupied by government forces.

Now under rebel control, the fighters allegedly captured a number of soldiers loyal to President Bashar al-Assad - and freed prisoners.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 30,000 people have died in Syria since the uprising began last year.

The U.N. puts that number closer to 20,000.