video transcript

Members of the Free Syria Army set up checkpoints around villages north of Aleppo that support the government of President Bashar al-Assad. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNIDENTIFIED FSA FIGHTER, SAYING: "We're here standing against near these towns to stop supporters of Bashar al Assad. Because they go out and kill people they destroy and burn houses and kill civilians. We set up a check point here to prevent any of them from getting out." Barriers have been set up to block supplies from going in. Rebels patrol highways. The Syrian uprising began with peaceful protests in March 2011. It has since descended into a civil war -- claiming the lives of at least 60,000 people -- and leaving many of the living in a state of siege.