March 18, 2012-Near Al Janoudia, Syria . Rebels are drinking tea and washing up early in the morning inside their makeshift defensive position. About 11 rebels, survivors of the fighting in Idlib and Al Janoudia are held up inside a small house. Most have deserted from the Syrian army to join the rebellion. This group has decided to stay and fight this losing battle. Each day gun fight erupts around their positions between them and government forces. Less then 3KM away Bashar Assad has troops occupying surrounding hills and villages with tanks and infantry. Around these mountains are a few remaining villages still held by the rebels, though they are difficult to acces for a conventional army, Bashar Assad’s troops have effectivelly surrounded the area, allowing few supplies inside. After their defeat in Idlib in front of overwhelming odds against Bashar al Assad forces, remnants of the FSA are held up in remote villages and outposts along the Turkish border. (Jonathan Alpeyrie/Polaris)