A single road, like a fragile umbilical cord, connects rebel areas of Syria's second city Aleppo with international relief from Turkey.

Those who remain are stockpiling arms and supplies -- bracing for their redoubt to be completely blockaded by the Syrian regime.

In the Turkish city of Gaziantep, charities are preparing to send aid south of the border to a Syrian city where 250,000 to 300,000 people are still living despite the relentless violence, too poor to escape or too invested in the fighting's outcome to run away.

"The siege by regime forces is not yet a done deal," said Assad Al-Ashi, head of the NGO Baytna Syria, adding that one road to Aleppo's west remains open.

"But it is under fire from all sides so it is still dangerous. It can be cut off at any moment," he said.

"Preparations are in full swing to get ready for a full siege," Ashi added.
Source: AFP