Video: Syrian rebels upbeat despite government advances Syrian rebels appeared defiant on the streets of Homs as they fired in the direction of what they said were government soldiers. A camerman in the video footage can be heard saying the fighting was taking place close to the check-point of Rantees in Old Homs. The video also shows Free Syrian Army members brandishing the former Syrian flag, a symbol of defiance against the government. The violence in Homs comes as President Bashar al-Assad's army continues to drive back rebels trying to take control of parts of the capital Damascus as part of its crackdown on dissent. The Free Syrian Army is believed to be made up of a loose network of local units comprising deserters from government ranks joined by armed volunteers. The rebel's footage cannot be verified due to reporting restrictions barring journalists from Syria.