Syrian rebels continue to defend strongholds in the city Aleppo, where fierce battles have been fought against government forces.

Streets in the area of Salaheddine are filled with debris and blackened buildings - bearing witness to heavy fighting.

Each side has given conflicting accounts of how they stand in city.

Syrian state television says government forces have killed most rebels in Salaheddine.

But opposition fighters deny they have lost control.

SOUNDBITE: UNNAMED SYRIAN REBEL FIGHTER, SAYING (Arabic):

"The Syrian army forces have not moved one step towards Aleppo and they will not enter it. We are staying here until our last soldier."

For 17 months rebels have been trying to bring down the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

The conflict has intensified as the government remains determined to cling to power.