Women on the front lines in Syria

A female member of the "Mother Aisha" battalion receives instruction as she holds a rifle during military training in the Salaheddine district of Aleppo, Syria.

This battalion, part of the Free Syrian Army, provides aid and security in addition to being a full military unit. The women who make up this force not only operate as fighters on the Old Aleppo frontline, but are also in charge of two medical field hospitals for injured fighters and a police station for women detainees.

Women of the "Mother Aisha" brigade fighting in Syria

A female member of the "Mother Aisha" battalion receives instruction as she holds a rifle during military training in Aleppo's Salaheddine district.

Women of the "Mother Aisha" brigade fighting in Syria

Members of the all-female "Mother Aisha" battalion carry weapons as they walk on the Aleppo Castle frontline Jan. 3, 2015.

Women of the "Mother Aisha" brigade fighting in Syria

A member of the all-female "Mother Aisha" battalion crochets a garment while resting at a field hospital in Aleppo, Syria, Jan. 3, 2015.

Women of the "Mother Aisha" brigade fighting in Syria

Members of the all-female "Mother Aisha" battalion sit in shooting position behind sandbags in a damaged house on the Aleppo Castle frontline, Jan. 3, 2015.

Women of the "Mother Aisha" brigade fighting in Syria

Members of the all-female "Mother Aisha" battalion climb through a hole in a wall in a house on the Aleppo Castle frontline, Jan. 3, 2015.

Women of the "Mother Aisha" brigade fighting in Syria

Umm Mohamad, center, a masters graduate and commander of the all-female "Mother Aisha" battalion, talks with fellow Free Syrian Army fighters in Old Aleppo, Jan. 3, 2015.

Women of the "Mother Aisha" brigade fighting in Syria

Umm Mohamad, a masters graduate and commander of the all-female "Mother Aisha" battalion, speaks on a walkie-talkie in front of a Free Syrian Army police station in Aleppo, Syria, Jan. 3, 2015.

The text on the wall reads in Arabic, "Revolutionary Military Police".

Women of the "Mother Aisha" brigade fighting in Syria

Members of the all-female "Mother Aisha" battalion ride in a vehicle in Aleppo, Syria, Jan. 3, 2015.

Women of the "Mother Aisha" brigade fighting in Syria

Female members of the "Mother Aisha" battalion sit together as they undergo military training in Aleppo's Salaheddine district.

Women of the "Mother Aisha" brigade fighting in Syria

Female members of the "Mother Aisha" battalion sit together along a street in Aleppo's Salaheddine district.