Syria: United rebels gain ground as slow war comes to Aleppo FSA fighters move swiftly down silent streets that fall within sight of enemy positions to point out the dangers. "There are tanks at our flank and in front of us," warned a rebel. There is an Assad tank pointing its barrel at us and sometimes there are snipers. The FSA fighters launch frequent attacks on checkpoints and Syrian army military bases that defend the city. It is a slow war. With Mr Assad's security forces working to maintain control of Aleppo, the rebels acknowlege that it could be months before the city falls to the opposition. Aleppo is an economic powerhouse. Many of its population are wealthy Sunni businessmen who benefited from the president's economic liberalisation policies and remain loyal to the regime. But slowly the opposition is encroaching. Their most forward position of Hraytan lies only three miles from the city's fringes and the effects are being felt. We can get inside Aleppo now, and we are supplying guns to FSA units in the city centre. They are lying dormant; hiding, preparing and waiting for the right moment to strike," said Wassim, 23, a fighter in Anadan. Sheikh Tawfiq, the rebel leader who cuts a distinctive figure in long grey jalabiya robes; thick, dark beard and red Kuffiyeh scarf, has gained the command of a band of villagers who look to his leadership to deliver them from the threat posed by the regime. Sheikh Tawfiq, who controls 15 villages in the province and has the power of life and death (Alessio Romenzi) Vulnerable to air attacks and still within shelling range, the countryside is not yet the "safe zone" that opposition activists need. As he drove freely across FSA terrain, fighters manning checkpoints rushed to kiss his cheeks, a mark of respect in Arab culture, others begged to be sent on the next battle. Civilians sought his help to resolve problems. My brother was arrested by Assad forces at a checkpoint. He was going to buy bread, he is not FSA. Please help him," said an elderly man. Free Syrian Army units, which until recently had largely been made up of disparate militias protecting their own territories, are joining forces to form a common front. Sheikh Tawfiq explains how the new alliances are working and how they hope to expand into the city. "I am one of nine members of the military council of Aleppo military province," he said. We have left some seats free for Aleppo city. The council meets in towns across the province to discuss military strategies. Increasingly, rebel units are moving across the countryside to support fighters in different areas. "I have fought in 10 towns across Aleppo," said Sinan, 35, an FSA fighter based in Anadan. Counting on their fingers, he and his comrades listed the names of towns for which they had fought. "We have been promised money, weapons and telecommunications by FSA military commanders in Turkey," said the commander from Der Tezzeh, the region neighbouring the territory under the Sheikh's control. The increased coordination is bringing the rebels more military success. Last week, fighters in Der Tazzeh supported by other units in the region attacked a Syrian army operation room on a nearby hilltop. "The base was giving helicopters coordinates of where to fire missiles," said the commander. We found some anti-aircraft guns and ammunition too. An FSA fighter at the entrance to a bunker near Aleppo (Alessio Romenzi) Video footage of the attack showed two large mobile communications towers in flames, the area deserted. The fighters' weapons appear still largely limited to small arms; mainly Kalashnikovs and rocket-propelled grenades. But offensive operations in this increasingly united area are often successful because of growing defections in military ranks. "Almost every attack we make, we already know that many soldiers in the target will defect," said the commander of Der Tezzah. In the string of villages visited by The Daily Telegraph in northern Aleppo province, defectors held the key to military success. The rebels are even finding improbable allies with ethnic Kurdish fighters who had previously been sheltered by the regime. Sitting in the old police station in the village of Qaptan, 14 miles from Aleppo, Sheikh Tawfiq spoke animatedly with representatives of the PKK, the Kurdish separationist movement, present in the area. Over sweet tea and Turkish coffee, the men discussed the future strategy for Aleppo province. "The PKK has decided to form a union with the FSA," said Sheikh Tawfiq. They will not help us fight Assad, but there is a cold peace. Driving across the undulating hills past olive groves and agricultural lands with a rebel unit, the car was stopped at a PKK checkpoint. Warily, the men peered into the car, nodded severely and opened the way.