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The Free Syrian Army claims more and more women are joining the armed struggle against President Bashar al Assad.
The FSA says those signing up are either the wives or mothers of "martyrs" - men killed in the fighting - or they are Syrians who were living overseas.
We spoke to one woman in Turkey who was receiving basic training before she entered Syria.
Thwaiba Kanafani has left two young children and a lucrative engineering business behind in Canada so she can carry out what she calls her "duty to the revolution".
"I'm still a Mum because I'm protecting the other kids," she said.
"We have seen how much children are being slaughtered and killed and this is very unfair so I want to be part of those people who are trying to help them and protect them."
It is not known how many women are operating inside Syria but their roles are diverse.
They are often referred to as the eyes and ears of the FSA because they can gather intelligence easily without arousing suspicion.
Twaiba's trainer, Abu, says the impact of female soldiers is often underestimated in a male dominated region.
"Mainly women are doing spying and winning the trust of the Shabia and leading them into our traps - women are playing a strong role in our revolution," he said.
Thwaiba is part of a small team responsible for mapping and co-ordinating attacks - she says over the last month more and more women have signed up.
"Women are helping a lot - a lot of women are helping their relatives. Women in Syria are holding guns now it's not unusual," she said.
She is guarded though about her next operation inside Syria. All she will say is she will leave Turkey shortly and head to Allepo to fight for freedom.
