A father buries a son in Aleppo

2012-07-31 47

A teenager fighting against President Bashar al-Assad is buried in Aleppo Tuesday.

The 17-year-old rebel was shot once in the head and once in the chest.

Now a father buries his son.

. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ABDEL QADIR ZEINO, FATHER OF REBEL WHO DIED, SAYING:

"He was a student, but he cleared his life to devote himself to the revolution. He just finished his mid-year exams during the revolution."

Wounded government forces are finding treatment in a makeshift hospital established by opposition forces.

15. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DOCTOR WHO DECLINED TO GIVE NAME, SAYING:

"At the end of the day, these people have all been hurt and this is our duty as a doctor. The regime does not understand that our mission is humanitarian. We do not rely on killing or terrorism but humanitarianism."

The battle for Aleppo has become a crucial test for both sides. Neither Assad's forces nor the rebels can afford to lose if they hope to prevail in the wider struggle for Syria.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters