Updated: July 26, 2012, 12:00 AM
In pictures: The battle for Aleppo
Syrian civilians flee the northern city of Aleppo during a lull in fighting between opposition forces and army troops on July 25, 2012. Battles raged through the night in several districts of Syria's second largest city to which the regime had rushed reinforcement, after rebels launched an all-out assault for control of the country's commercial hub on July 20. Arabic graffiti on the police station's entrance reads "Assad's Syria". AFP PHOTO / PIERRE TORRES
Opposition fighters prepare molotov cocktails. Pierre Torres / AFP Photo
Family and friends mourn over the body of Usame Mircan, who was allegedly killed by a Syrian government sniper. Bulent Kilic / AFP Photo
A Syrian man carries Mohammed Amumrej, 5, after he was hurt during shelling by Syrian government forces in Aleppo yesterday. The boy later died. Bullent Kilic / AFP Photo
Free Syria Army opposition fighters guard a group of detained policemen after overrunning and burning down the police station in the Shaar district of the city. Pierre Torres / AFP Photo
A fighter from the Syrian opposition takes aim in clashes. Bulent Kilic / AFP Photo
Fighters from the Syrian opposition rest at a primary school in the centre of Aleppo. Bulent Kilic / AFP Photo
A young fighter from the Syrian opposition holds a Quran in one hand and a rocket-propelled grenade in the other, as other rebels rest in the school. Bulent Kilic / AFP Photo
Syrian civilians run for their lives as battling forces approach. Bulent Kilic / AFP Photo
Syrian civilians carry their belongings as they flee the fighting. Bulent Kilic / AFP Photo
Free Syrian Army opposition fighters storm the Shaar district police station. Pierre Thomas / AFP Photo
Police officers are detained by the Free Syrian Army. Pierre Thomas / AFP Photo