Rebels on the road in Idlib

Rebels on the road in Idlib.

Fighters from the Free Syrian Army take over a government checkpoint Monday.

Now they are setting up their own check point and hope to snare Syrian government troops on the retreat.

(SOUNDBITE) Arabic) FREE SYRIAN ARMY FIGHTER MUSTAFA SAYING:

"We erected a checkpoint against Assad's army. They are running away and heading towards Turkey. We are going to stand here to catch them like rats."

Some celebrate their victory on top of a tank abandoned by the defeated government soldiers.

But the fight is not over.

Rebels open fire at a government camp, which they have surrounded for five days.

So far there is no end in sight to the 19 month old conflict which has cost more than 30,000 lives.

International mediator Lakhdar Brahimi is in Damascus proposing a temporary ceasefire.

His call may have won the backing of international powers on both sides of the crisis but so far no one is putting down arms.