Rebels advanced across a field during an afternoon that saw a firefight at this village on the outskirts of Homs --- in this video posted on a social media website whose content Reuters cannot independently verify.

At one stage, what appears to be a mortar round lands nearby. Several fighters scrambled to recover

Other video purports to show rebels in tanks they seized from government forces, firing on a military airbase south of Aleppo.

Locals say rebels began surrounding the base several weeks ago.

The fighters reportedly took control of the installation which is located near a major highway.