Yet the territory and population under rebel control steadily increase.

The light green represented the shrinking area of rebel control.

The town had been under rebel control for the previous eight months, serving as the main arms supply route from Jordan.

However, as of late March both bases were still believed to be under rebel control.

It was the only area of the country, outside of the zone, not under rebel control at the time.

Russian spokesman here said on Tuesday that only a third of the village was still under rebel control.

By morning, the city was under complete rebel control.

They also claimed that a national referendum would be impossible when so much of the country was under rebel control.

By the following morning only a few areas remained under rebel control.

It was reported to be under rebel control as of 7 December 2012.