trying to end the fighting in aleppo. syria's second city has been an urban battleground for over two years. they hope the truce will end the suffering of the people to allow aid in and possibly lay the groundwork for the political process. so far the rebels are not convinced. head of the syrian revolutionary command council, which unites the opposition armed forces and aleppo. they want more details before they commit to any agreement. >> they're demanding a freeze in fighting, but what happens next? it means the regime which committed crimes against the people will stay. if you want to end the crisis it cannot just end in aleppo but all over the country. we are suspicious. >> over recent weeks the military has been closing in on rebel supply routes around the city. >> there are many front lines in syria, so why does the united nations want to start it's so-called freeze plan in aleppo city? the international organization has said that they believe the city faces a serious threat fr , and it could prevent an isil advance

aleppo, and surrounding areas, it's not so much isil. but what we're focusing on is isil targets, they can be very hard to find but we're looking at it very closely and our conversations with turkey specifically focussed on this question. >> that calls into question the fact that they're fighting al qaeda units as well, as you know, it calls into question our policy on safe zones. but my worry about the dithering on this is that we had these dialogues back in february on isis at a time, frankly, we began this dialogue before isis even took falluja. we were calling for air strikes and action against isis before they managed to pull that off. and then city by city by city, the call went out to members of congress and others who had syrian experience, if isis wasn't hit while their columns were on the ground that mosul itself would fall. and it did. and they took the central bank. still no action, still discussion, still dithering and now we're at the point where we see the last major stronghold for the syrian middle class trying to hold of

to get the freeze in aleppo.in particular, the al qaeda-linked front is now in the fighting in aleppo. how they're going to get them to stop fighting i don't know. there has been a thought expressed by some observers that oh if we could just get the cease fire in aleppo between the regime and moderate fighters then they could join forces against the jihadis. i have to tell you, i think that's never going to happen. there have been too many barrel bombs, too many gas attacks dropped from regime airplanes. too many cloer rehlorine attack. there was another yesterday. there's bad blood between the moderate opposition and regime they're going to line up against the islamic state. islamic state killed 3,000 to 4,000 syrians. regime killed 150,000, maybe more. so the moderate fighters look at this and say 3,000-4,000, 150,000. this is the bigger problem. so it's a nice thought that they would line up, but i don't think it's going to happen. so when we think about who would negotiate paul, there are moderate fighters ha

north of aleppo -- just turkish border -- within the city of aleppo so much isil.ot focused on are isil which are sometimes hard to find. the hat calls into question fact that, fighting al qaeda unions as well. it calls into question our policy on safe zones. on this -- we had the stylus back in february on isis. a time -- frankly, before isis even took falluja. then city by city, the call members of others with d experience, that devices wasn't hit while they were on the ground, musel itself would fall. now we're at the point where we last major stronghold for the syrian middle-class and al to hold off isis qaeda -- and the barrel bonds and we still can't see any policy to try and rescue the city. when we directly ask if it is a try and c objective to hold against the fall that get is he response we that we're still trying to decide. we can be still trying to decide after we have lost the ability to reverse what is going on in syria. as we lostthe ability to reverse what was going on in not hit the we did target price than taking musel. anyway, my time has expired

envoy to syria has been proposal earlier in aleppo. has there been any progress on that at all? likely to happen? >> reporter: no progress and no deal so far. last october the u.n. special envoy actually presented his initiative and since then, he, along with listen voirs, the hin meet to go try to iron out an agreement. we understand from opposition force that his they are skeptical. they want guarantees. they believe that the government will use a lull in the fighting in aleppo to, you know, to step up military operations in other front across the country. we also understand from government sources that what they are worried about is that this freeze in fighting going to be monitored and it's going to be backed by u.n. security council resolution, which means that they are going to deploy u.n. peacekeepers and this is something the government won't accept. and what the government also has been saying is that rebel-held areas in aleppo, they will be allowed to impose their own rule. and so the government won't accept ideal where they can't restore their own sovereignty. at the

dozens have been killed in duma, in aleppo, where i.s.i.l.ighters have a strong presence. >>> al-shabab fighters attacked the african union headquarters in mogadishu. nine people were killed, including five fighters and three african union soldiers. >>> in iraq a kurdish offensive that opened a corridor for thousands of minority yazidi to escape from mt sinjar is gaining momentum. i.s.i.l. captured large villages. the group appears to be pulling back. we have this exclusive report from a village retaken by kurdish forces. >> reporter: kurdish peshmerga fighters raise the flag in a village recaptured from i.s.i.l., they want to make clear who is leading here. this is the man leading them. the general says the offensive has been a success. >> we have strategic data back from i.s.i.l. we have seized roads along the border. whoever controlled the areas has the upper hand. >> towns and villages they have recovered from i.s.i.l. are deserted. most of the residents live in camps or have crossed the nesh syrian border. this newly retaken town has tak

the fight for aleppo is now in its third year. government forces control the west.he opposition controls the east. the roads connecting the east of the city to turkey are now contested and that is why the rebels opened a new front in the northwest, to try open another supply line. they are coming under high fire, these two villages are government strong holds. they are also surrounded by rebel-held territories. but the predominantly shia villages lie along a highway running from the city of aleppo to turkey. >> translator: government forces have been advancing north of aleppo city, and they are trying to reach [ inaudible ]. they are ten kilometers away, but we are fighting back, and hopefully we will be able to liberate the vailages from government troops. >> reporter: for now pro-government forces are preventing a rebel advance into their areas, and government forces are helping from the skies. planes and helicopters have been dropping bombs in opposition areas. the united nations was hoping to stop the fighting in aleppo's many front lines, but the initiative pro

and it cannot just end the crisis in aleppo or over the country. we are suspicious. >> over recent weeks the military has been closing in on rebel supply routes around the city. and the council wants guarantees. >> there are many front lines in syria. why does the united nations want to start its so-called freeze plan in aleppo city. >> the international organization says it believes the city faces a threat from the islamic state of iraq and levant. in an agreement between the government and the opposition, it could prevent an i.s.i.l. advance. for the opposition, that could mean a form of cooperation with its enemy. the government lost control in the north of syria, but the rebels, too, have lost territory to i.s.i.l. in the north-east, and al nusra front, al qaeda's branch in the north-west. the commander was referring to al nusra, whose presence complicates the situation. >> when they show us, we will discuss it, until that happens, we cannot discuss it with other brigades. >> reporter: the syrian government said it was willing to study the prop

aleppo, and surrounding areas, it's not so much isil. but what we're focusing on is isil targets, they can be very hard to find but we're looking at it very closely and our conversations with turkey specifically focussed on this question. >> that calls into question the fact that they're fighting al qaeda units as well, as you know, it calls into question our policy on safe zones. but my worry about the dithering on this is that we had these dialogues back in february on isis at a time, frankly, we began this dialogue before isis even took falluja. we were calling for air strikes and action against isis before they managed to pull that off. and then city by city by city, the call went out to members of congress and others who had syrian experience, if isis wasn't hit while their columns were on the ground that mosul itself would fall. and it did. and they took the central bank. still no action, still discussion, still dithering and now we're at the point where we see the last major stronghold for the syrian middle class trying to hold of

aleppo, and surrounding areas, it's not so much isil. but what we're focusing on is isil targets, they can be very hard to find but we're looking at it very closely and our conversations with turkey specifically focussed on this question. >> that calls into question the fact that they're fighting al qaeda units as well, as you know, it calls into question our policy on safe zones. but my worry about the dithering on this is that we had these dialogues back in february on isis at a time, frankly, we began this dialogue before isis even took falluja. we were calling for air strikes and action against isis before they managed to pull that off. and then city by city by city, the call went out to members of congress and others who had syrian experience, if isis wasn't hit while their columns were on the ground that mosul itself would fall. and it did. and they took the central bank. still no action, still discussion, still dithering and now we're at the point where we see the last major stronghold for the syrian middle class trying to hold of

dozens have been killed in the city of duma and aleppo where i.s.i.l. fighters have a strong presence. charles stratford reports. >> reporter: the syrian air force targeted this commercial area to the north of the country. it's been almost four years since the violence began. what started as a protest movement descended into a war. civilians, including children, giant fighting across the country every day. >> vets have been bombing the shopping center. they need to try to rescue the wounded. united nations estimates 2,000 people have been killed. by barrel bombs in aleppo. it says that there is evidence of civilian gathering. there are thousands of people who have simply disappeared. this woman rocks after her brothers on her family's form in southern syria. >> it's good to care for my brothers. my mother was captured two years ago. my father was killed in the first year. >> activists say more than 170 people have been killed while in government prisons in deraa since june. what the gangs of so-called arab springs rising in 2011, spiralled into a sectar

i was there with them in aleppo last year. a good job, but you don't hear about it, because you'll hear about war and death in the media. do we need to pressure them to ale with him was a -- with musra? this is a big question, because we don't know when we are going to be with you and when we will be without a dictator. if this is the reaction, the they might say, i would rather alwith al mistretta -- the site hasse killed my family. -- the #has killed my family. because bashar assad has killed my family. you cannot continue with a dictator like this. greg a year ago, the u.s. and russia were working -- >> a year the u.s. and russia were working on a common plan and that has collapsed. and we have seen some major efforts and that is splintering of effort, the u.n. working one direction and the -- russia in the other. of --u share with some with us some of your views why we failed and where we are today , and whether there is a path forward? >> yes. from sites graduated in 1984, and it's really nice to be back here, especially

and it can't just end in aleppo but all over the country. we're suspicious. >> over weeks they have been closing in on supply rights in the city. and they want guarantees. there are many front lines in syria, why do the united nations want to start it's so-called freeze plan in aleppo city? the international organization has said that they believe the city faces a threat from the islamic state in iraq and the levant. and an agreement could prevent the isil advance. but i that would mean some agreement with its enemy. the commander was referring to al nusra, whose presence complicates the situation. >> we will discuss it. until that happens, we cannot discuss it with others. >> the syrian government did say it was willing to study the proposal, but for now the initiative remains just that. he needs to convince the rebels that stopping the war in aleppo won't amount to a surrender. al jazeera, beirut. >> jordan has stopped providing free healthcare services to syrian refugees because it says it can't afford it. this means that syrians with con

the battle for aleppo and we examine how the fight for the largest city may be a turning point in ther-year long war. hong kong protest leaders call for retreat and say they will hand themselves over to the police. plus the environmental dilemma facing south sudan for a sustainable force against providing fuel for cooking. ♪ hello, al-shabab claimed responsibility for an attack in a query that killed 36 workers and it's close to somali border and attack on a bus last night in which 28 non-muslim passengers were killed, crossing over to catherine who is joining us from nairobi to see if there is reaction from the kenya government for the attack and claim from al-shabab, catherine. >> the president is expected to address the nation sometime this afternoon. there is a sharp statement that was sent by the government spokesperson who said this incident is being investigated and it was basically just concerning that indeed 36 people were killed at that query and as i speak to you the main coalition which is led by prime minister is currently holding a press conference and in the past they c

. >> the united nations is trying to end the fighting in aleppo. syria's second largest city has been a battleground for over two years. so far the rebels are not convinced. the head of the syrian revolutionary command council which unites the opposition armed forces in aleppo. he was the man u.n. sent to discuss the proposal. but they want more proposal before the agreement. >> what happens next. it means the regime that has committed crimes against the people will stay. if you want to end the crisis it cannot just end in aleppo it's the entire country and we're suspicious. >> reporter: the opposition once guarantees that the army does not take advantage of the lull in the fighting. there are many front lines in syria. why did the united nations want to start their so-called freeze plan in aleppo city? the international organization says that they believe that they face a serious threat from the islamic state in iraq and the levant, and in agreement between the government and opposition could prevent an isil advance. >> the government has lost con

moderate opposition forces are also holding their ground against isil north of aleppo. on combatting foreign fighters, we now have in place a chapter 7 security council resolution calling on all member states to stem the flow of foreign fighters to syria. members of the coalition are increasingly criminalizing foreign fighter-related activities, and in the past month alone foreign fighter networks have been broken up in austr austria, malaysia, and asia, and prosecuted in germany and the uk. we're working to cut the avenues of revenue and destroying refinery capacity, denying its main source of revenue from oil trade. these efforts are having an impact. on the humanitarian front, much has been done but far more is needed. and this was a key focus of our conference in brussels last week. finally, on countering isil's message, we've begun an aggressive campaign led by partners in the middle east region. we've seen fatwas issued from religious leaders in egypt and saudi arabia declaring isil a direct threat to islam. other coalition partners are work to form operations rin

is involved in high-level talks to broker a cease fire in aleppo, syria.ebel groups are skeptical of that proposal. dine a hoader spoke to one group that youunites rebel groups in alleppo. >> they are trying to end the fighting in al aleppo. it has been an urban battle ground for two years. the united states hopes the truce will allow aid in and possibly lay the groundwork for a political process. so far, rebels aren't convinced of the the head of the ref lulingsary command counsel which unites the armed forces in aleppo and the man to discuss a proposal but he wants more details before committing to any agreement. >> they are demanding to cease the fighting. it means the regime which has committed crimes against the people will stay. if you want to end the crisis, it cannot just end in aleppo but all over the country. we are suspicious. >> over recent weeks, the military has been closing in on rebel supply routes around the city and the opposes wants guaranteesition wants guarante guarantees. >> there are many front lines in syria. so why does the united

. >> the united nations is trying to end the fighting in aleppo. it has been an urban battleground for over two years. they hope a cruise will allow the end of the fighting for the people. but so far rebels are not convinced. this man went to discuss the proposal, but they want more details before committing to any agreement. >> they are demanding a freeze in fighting. if they want to end the crisis its can "k" no not just end here but all over the country. intersperswe are suspicious. >> there are many front lines in syria, why does the united nations want to start it's so-called freeze plan in aleppo city? the international organization said that it believes the city faces a serious threat from the islamic state in iraq and the levant, and an agreement between the government and opposition could prevent an isil advance. but for the opposition that would mean some form of cooperation with its enemy. the country has lost control control of areas. >> we will discuss it. until that happens we cannot discuss it with other brigades. >> the syrian gover

special envoy to syria have been negotiating a freeze in fighting in aleppo. but there are concerns about the plan and can't come to an agreement. >> the united nations has a plan to stop the fighting in aleppo city. so far there has been no agreement. it has not given much details on how it can be implemented on the ground. but it's special envoy said it could involved a monitoring mechanism backed by a security council resolution. that's what worries the syrian government. close to the authorities, he told us that the initiative does not just involve ending the bloodshed and allowing aid to reach those in need. >> the initiative has armed rebels taking over parts of east of aleppo. the they will be able to governor that territory. the government will not accept that. >>> this is one of the neighbors in the rebel-controlled east. syria's largest city has been divided for over two years. government sources say that the u.n. intends to deploy international peace keepers along the front lines and allow self rule in the opposition areas. that, according to the so

aleppo is important for the regime. but it is engaged for two years the first priority.ow it has [ inaudible ] on it. why? he made military success on the field. >> reporter: over the years the state has managed to recapture and protect strategic areas to survive. even though estimates say it now controls a near 30% of syria, but the amount of territory is not as important as which territory. it is still in charge of its seat of power, and damascus is not isolated from other major urban centers understate authority. it is connected to the borders of lebanon and jordan. the central city further north, and the divided city of aleppo, as well as the coastal region in the west. it also has a presence in other contested provinces. asaid from an area controlled by islamic state of iraq and the levant. a lot of the area is desert and countryside, and now the conflict is more complicated, because rebels are at war with each other. al-nusra front, syria's al-qaeda branch has just taken over government bases in the southern out skirts of idlib. it has consolidated its grip on the

victoria reports. >> reporter: this is a crucial battle for opposition fighters in aleppo.ains the only road that connects the areas. >> translator: on the first day of fighting, we lost about 18 buildings under our control. later we gained control over most of the positions in both the eastern and the southeastern sides. >> reporter: syria's second city has been an urban battleground for more than two years. in recent weeks the syrian military has been closing in on supply routes. opposition fighters have also lost areas to isil in the east, and the al-qaeda branch in the northwest. they have been targeting the government controlled airstrip. they say intelligence reports confirmed that russian fighter jets arrived there recently. and rebel fighters have seized control of two camps. these are gains which have boosted the morale of rebel fighters. >> translator: the victory we won here represents a victory to us in every corner of the country. [ gunfire ] >> reporter: in aleppo the u.n. has proposed a truce to suspend fighting, but so far neither side has signed up to it. >

it lies on the main road to aleppo.rol it and you control a main route to bring reinforcements in and the wounded out. the government has three armored battalions there. despite this considerable presence, the rebels claim they are making progress. >> translator: we have managed to cause massive damage to regime forces. both in terms of men and material. today we destroyed one heavy machine gun and a government outpost. >> reporter: but for all of that, assad's forces appear to be largely intact and operational across the country. this is the district on the outskirts of damascus, it has long been a strong hold for the rebels. but in recent weeks it's face aids very heavy bomb boardment. as government troops try to take control. reducing an area that once houses thousands to nba to a crumbling urban battle ground. dominick kane, al jazerra. >>> china is expanding its influence by undertaking a number of large infrastructure projects around the world part of a strategy to gain access to the natural resources that the gov

. >>> the united states is high-level talks to broker a truce in aleppo.ebel gripes are skeptical. al jazeera's zana hodr. >> syria's second city has been an urban battleground for over two years. the u.n. hopes a truce troops and lay the groundwork for a political process. so far, the rebels aren't convinced. the head of the syrian revolutionary command council which unites the opposition's armed forces in aleppo was and was the man met with to discuss the proposal. he wants more details before committing to any agreement. >> they are demanding a freeze in fighting. but what happens next? it means the regime which has committed crimes against the people will stay if you want to end the crites, it can't just end in aleppo but all over the country we are suspicious. >> over recent weeks, the military has been closing in on rebel supply routes around the city. the ols zipings guarantees. the army doesn't take advantage of a lull in the fighting. there are many front lines so why does the united nations want to start its so-called freeze plan in aleppo city?

soon get much-needed aid, the world health organization has approval to deliver supplys to parts of aleppoamascus and diseases on the rise in the areas as dana reports and a warning you may find some pictures in her report disturbing. >> reporter: hygiene-related disease on the rise in syria, this girl diagnosed with a parasite infection spread by flies. according to doctors cases like these show how the crumbling healthcare system and the worsening living conditions especially in rebel-held areas are affecting people. >> translator: we have no pe pestsides and there is no hygiene. >> reporter: lack of water in easter guta surrounding the government siege and the problem of contaminated water is not confined to rule damascus and across syria the world health organization reported 6500 of tyfoid and hepatitis is a problem. >> and a problem in damascus area lately and damaged to the sewage system and often this is followed by diseases. and we have seen the infectious diseases in the suburbs of damascus. >> reporter: w.h.o. delivering three times medal supplies in 2014 than it did last year a

the fact that both the syrian government and other parties have agreed to allow envoys to enter aleppo is already a massive step forward. some towns have only had one shipment of supplies in the last two years, according to the who. this might come at the european court of human rights condemns turkey for religious discrimination against the alevi a muslim minority. ankara refuses to recognize the places of worship of this branch of shiite islam. which represents 1/5 of the population. a place of alevi where some of the ways they pray are different. women only where the veil during prayers and men and women pray side-by-side. >> as they hand out pastries and tea, the atmosphere is festive. these are the premises of one of the main alevi organizations. a muslim minority that represent between 15% and 20% of the turkish population. the european court of human rights has condemned ankara for discrimination. >> the government spends $5 billion to six point dollars covering the worship in mosques. what does it give alevi? nothing. >> the legal battle was launched 4 years ago by an alevi rel

. >>> an opposition attack against kurdish forbes in the northern city of aleppo has celd a number of forces. gains around other areas of the city. both sides are battling for supply routes into aleppo. >>> yemen's coast guard has found bodies from a boat that capsized in the red sea. make the journey between the horn of africa and yemen every year. >>> undocumented passengers in a ferry, that caught fire. meanwhile many of the greek survivors have been flown home. a military plane brought 45 people from bari to a town near athens. simon mcgregor wood has more. >> the last of the passengers were lifted on monday afternoon almost 36 hours after the fire took hold. workers had a shuttle system, winching passengers from the upper decks. they were then taken osafety on nearby vessels. there is now some confusion of the number of people rescued from the vessel. it appears to be less than ton manifest. lleading to splaition speculation that not all were rescued. >> this is giving us some difficulty. >> earlier on monday, 49 passengers were transferred to the italian port of bari. most of th

the attacks targeted the towns in northeastern aleppo province.n child is reported to be among the dead. syrian activists report further government air strikes on the city of dual adjus dual a. just outside duh mass of course. at least 10 people, mostly children are reported injured. the strikes killed several children and wounded many others on tuesday. many while in the city of aleppo, five armed factions have united in to one rebel group. they have chosen a commander. they have come together to fight syrian regime forces. residents have formed many groups since the start of the conflict in 20 with 11. it some to confront syrian regime forces others for fight the expansion of isil. first the operations room which included in it -- in its ranks several armed groups including the at nusra front. in july another group was formed with the participation of five other rebel groups. following an initiative by the u.n. envoy for syria. 14 factions met in november under the name aleppo's revolutionaries council. no agreement was reached. and today, five

in the tunnel close to aleppo castle. there has also been heavy shelling in an opposition held area near the city. >>> 1500 coalition troops are to be sent to iraq, joining up to 3100 u.s. troops that president obama has authorized to deploy to iraq. the top u.s. expander guiding the coalition effort, declined to say which countries were contributing, but said the troops would represent a broad mix from a coalition that on the military side now included nearly 40 countries. meanwhile, iraq's military is fighting to stay in control of the country's biggest refinery near the location of bajii. jane arraf reports. >> last week repelled a major attack by the group, southwest of the oil rich city of kirkuk. an i.s.i.l. suicide bomber detonated a u.s. made humvee in a flash point near the fighting. the battle began before dawn. it lasted for more than a day. peshmerga commanders say 25 i.s.i.l. fighters were killed. it's not known how many of the kurdish fighters died. these i.s.i.l. fighters were believed to be iraqi. the pesh

also the fighting in aleppo city, how can we as syrian people together to protect our country, and to reduce the damage on our culture. we are now in paris to discuss how they can help us protect culture, and to do our national work inside of syria. >> i mean, obviously, the violence is continuing. what do you expect and hope that you can do? >> my hope for the international community to close the borders of iraq and syria. if we can do something with the situation and the local community to preserve the areas of syria. we hope to help syrians to close the border against the mafia network coming from europe, from neighboring countries, from syria, how we can stop the illicit trafficking of our cultural objects from syria. it is very important for our country. >> sir, i'm sorry, we'll have to leave it there. general director of antiquities in syria. thank you. >>> sweden's left-leaning prime minister is calling for fresh elections after just two months in power. his government has been thrown into crisis after a right-wing party would help to defeat it's very first budget. it is a frus

special envoy to syria has been trying to negotiate a freeze in fighting in aleppo. both the opposition and the syrian government have concerns about the plan and can't come to an agreement. zeina khodr explains. >> reporter: the united nations has a plan to stop the fighting in aleppo city. so far there has been no agreement. it hasn't given much details on how it can be implemented on the ground. the special envoy says it can involve a monitoring mechanism backed by a security council resolution. that is what worried the syrian government. mikkel is close to the authorities, telling us that the initiative doesn't involve just the bloodshed and allowing aid. >> parts of east of the aleppo have been taken, and they will be able to govern the territory. the government will not accept that. agreement should involve state sovereignty and the return of state institutions >>> government sources say the u.n. intend to deploy international peacekeepers along the front lines, allowing self rule in the opposition areas. that, according to the sources, will not be acceptable.

this comes as five armed factions in aleppo unit into one rebel group. they have chosen a commander. they have come together to fight against the government, bashar al-assad. >>> syrian activists say government air strikes have hit the city the zuma. this is said to show the aftermath of the attack. 10 people, mostly children were injured. >> well, meanwhile human rights watch accused the syrian government of indiscriminately targetting civilians in a besieged area of homs. 100,000 are said to be trapped, which is one of the last remaining rebel strongholds. we have this report from beirut in neighbouring lebanon. >> government snipers surround the distribute - moving and and out is severely restricted. according to human rights watch residents are harassed and detained. it has become a prison for residents. the government wants fighters inside to lay down their arms. the opposition wants guaranteed. >> i'm an army defector. there's others like me. what guarantors do we have that they will not kill us. >> the state gained control over the third-largest c

and armed rebels reportedly attacked a tunnel under headquarters close to aleppo and clashing betweensides broke out and heavy shelling on the opposition held old neighborhood of the city. humanitarian organizations are calling for countries to take in 180,000 syrian refugees and more than 30 organizations launched appeal asking for economic support and aid packages to the nation housing refugees and groups will say countries keep their borders open for syrians escaping the war and 3.2 fled to turkey, lebanon jordan and iraq with sources and infrastructure. iraqi forces fighting to maintain control of the country's biggest oil refinery. in november they retook the complex in baji after strikes on targets near the facility and i.s.i.l. has attacks including bombings to try to take the refinery and jane reports. >> reporter: six months into the fight against i.s.i.l. iraq's oil fields remain a major battleground. kurdish forces backed by u.s. air strikes last week repelled a major attack by the group southwest of the oil rich city of kurkook and detonated a u.s. made hum v packed with e

. >>> opposition fighters in syria say they have regained control of parts of aleppo.s want to control the strategically important neighborhoods in the country's biggest city. victoria reports. [ gunfire ] >> reporter: this is a crucial battle for opposition fighters in aleppo. the village connects the only road with towns to the turkish border. whoever controls this area controls the delivery of supplies to the rebels. >> translator: on the first day of fighting, we lost about 18 buildings under our control in the area. later we gained control over most of the positions in both the eastern, and the southeastern sides. [ gunfire ] >> reporter: syria's second city has been an urban battleground for more than two years. over recent weeks the syrian military has been closing in on rebel supply routes. opposition fighters have also lost territory to isil, and al-qaeda groups. they have been targeting the government-controlled airstrip. they say intelligence reports confirm that russian fighter jets arrived there recently. and in syria's northeastern province, rebel fighter

organization says syria government will allow it to deliver medicine to opposition held areas of aleppo access being granted to eastern outside damascus where infectious diseases are spreading fast. dana has this report from neighboring lebanon and another warning about the graphic content of this report. >> reporter: hygiene-related diseases are on the rise in syria. this girl was diagnosed with misis, a parasite infection that is spread by flies. according to doctors cases like these show how the crumbling healthcare system and the worsening living conditions especially in rebel-held areas are effecting people. >> translator: we have to pesticides here because we are under siege and why there is many flies and also homes are not sterilized and there is no hygiene. >> reporter: one of the reasons is lack of clean water in many places like eastern guta a district surrounding the capitol under a government-imposed siege. the problem of contaminated water is not confined to rural damascus and across syria the world health organization reported 6500 cases of typhoid this year and hepatitis

the world health organization says it is given approval to deliver medical supplies to damascus and aleppo infectious diseases are on the rise, a warning you may find some of her pictures in her report disturbing. >> reporter: hygiene-related diseases are on the rise in syria. this girl was diagnosed with misis, a parasite infection spread by flies. according to doctors cases like these show how the crumbling healthcare system and worsening living conditions especially in rebel-held areas are effecting people. >> translator: we have no pesticides because we are under siege and many flies and homes are not sterilized and no hygiene. >> reporter: one of the reasons is a lack of clean water in many places like eastern guta one of a few districts surrounding the capitol under a government imposed siege. the problem of contaminated water is not confined to rural damascus. across syria the world health organization reported more than 6500 cases of typhoid this year and hepatitis is also a problem. >> syria problem with access to clean water in areas such as aleppo and also in rural damascus area

we start in syria now where there's been intense fighting in the province of aleppo. rebel fighters say they killed several soldiers and destroyed vehicles. but the syrian state news agency quoting a military source says the government remains in control of the village. >>> kurdish fighters say they have made advances again isil in kobani. elsewhere isil is taking on syrian government forces for control of an airport. we explain the strategic importance. >> reporter: the airport is one of the last remaining regime strongholds in the east of syria. the forces of president bashar al assad held onto the airport and parts of provincial capital while isil consolidates it's hold on the rest of the province. there are oil fields around the airport. winning control of the airport gi gives isil control of the oil. isil has made previous attempts, but the fighters have been beaten by syrian forces and the pr pro-assad channel plays this shows they're in control around the airport. in kobani kurdish fighters say they have pushed isil out of much of the southern part of the town.

the attacks targeted towns in the north eastern province of aleppo.ld is reported to be among the dead. five armed fab shun shuns in alo have united in to one rebel group. calling themselves up inning and chose be a choppedder remember they come together to fight against the government of president bashar al-assad. in syrian activ activists say mr strikes outside damascus, this video posted on line is said to show the aftermath of the attack. at least 10 people, mostly children were injured. >>> human rights watch has accused the jean government of indiscriminately targeting civilians in the besieged area of homs. almost 100,000 people are said to be trapped in the neighborhood which is one of the last remaining rebel strong holds. zeina reports from beirut in neighboring lebanon. >> reporter: government sniper around the district in homs. moving in and out is severe restricted. according to human rights watch, residents are harassed and sometimes detained when trying to do so. it says it has become a prison for its residents. the government wants the

and the divided city of aleppo as well as the coastal region in the west.also has a presence in other contested provinces, apart from a strong hold of the islamic state of iraq and the levant of a group that controls approximately 35% of syria. the remaining areas are under the control of other opposition groups, but a lot of it is desert and countrysides. and now the conflict is more complicated because rebels are at war with each other. al-nusra has taken over government bases in the southern outskirts of idlib, this has consolidated its grip on the northwestern province after it pushed the moderate rebels out last month. >> translator: neither side is winning because of the presence of isil and nusra, those groups have a different agenda from the syrian opposition. there are only losers in this war, the people. >> reporter: battle lines continue to shift and neither side is likely to win in out right victory. but the goff is likely to stay in power if it is able to hold on to the one-third of syria it currently controls. zeina holder, al jazerra, bay dre

there's a no-fly zone over a portion of aleppo. allies who say we should be working with turkey that way. turkey is really a friend of isis. i'm not saying that. i'm repeating. >> you say there are people who say we ought to consider some kind of an arrangement with assad. what is your view? do you think we will not get rid of him? >> let's face it. we have sometimes different points of views. we really propped assad up. he has been reelected this last summer for a five-year term. working with him on chemical weapons really established him. i don't want to go to a place we should be working with a side. my only point in raising that is certainly among the neighbors there is beginning to be a big split in how we approach syria. those of the things we need to figure out. there is an arab face on this. right now obviously we are viewed as taking away time. hopefully our actions -- trying to read syria of -- rid syria of isis. >> airstrikes against isis last week. they played a role in stopping isis from going to baghdad. good or bad?

northern syria opposition fighters they say they have regained controls of parts of north eastern aleppo after fighting. the village is one of these key battlegrounds. returns close to the turkish boarder, both sighs want to control important neighborhoods in the country's biggest city. assistance both inside syria and to the cub's sheltering the millions of stirrian refugees who fled the conflict. 1.1 million registered refugees that's in camps in lebanon. another 1.3 are living in turkey the government figure is much higher than that. the money of syrians now taking refuge in iraq has exceeded 220,000. and more than 130,000 people have made their way to safety, in egypt. it is the worst human tear crisis worldwide. the needs are great. up to 11 million syrians require help outside the country but those who have been displaced within syria as a result of the conflict not only nod that they need in jobs they need to educate the children, here 500,000 are of school age. and only 25% are enrolled in school. we are at one of the informal schools set up by the united nations. each one enroll

especially when you talk about the historic center of aleppo, which is worth a heritage site. many sites used at military camps, illegally looted. many are completely devastated. >> both sides in the conflict used ancient forces as military bases. is there any way to stop them from making the ancient sides another casualty of this war? >> you know, u.n.e.s.c.o. has several conventions, international conventions for the protection of heritage in times of war, like the hague convention. by vrt u of the con -- virtue of the convention we call on syria to stop using sites as war zones. this is not working, of course, because war, unfortunately. what we are doing, though, is now to work with the team of ministers in order to include heritage into negotiations for stopping the fight. so, yes, u.n.e.s.c.o. calls on all member states on the security council to include cultural heritage when talking about humanitarian aids and peace negotiations. >> it's not just fighting between the two sides, is it. there's pillaging illegal excavation. what is happening. what is happening to what's

kim vinnell reports. >> reporter: the sound of gunfire is relentless in aleppo.n the northeast neighborhood bed sheets have become cover and streets no longer safe to walk. now the flag of the free syrian army flies, and opposition fighters say they can walk around freely. >> translator: residents are still standing, the majority are supporting the revolutionary fighters. we are advancing unlike the regime's forces. >> reporter: but the f fer -- ferocity tells a different story. controlling main roads would mean a chance to besiege the other side. territory in the city remains divided. for those living among the rubble, this is already a war of attrition. >> translator: the regime propagated on many occasions that they had captured the main square. these are false reports. we are holding our ground. but living conditions are harsh. it is really hard. >> reporter: the u.s. continues to launch air strikes on isil fighters in the region, but in doing that, the so-call moderate opposition fighters it supports are feeling the squeeze. some analysts believe syrian troo