Liberated lands in Syria

So according to US media, any area of Syria that falls, say, under the control of Al-Qa`idah, falls into the category of "liberated lands".  "The move, which could draw the regime's attention back to this swath of northwestern territory, shows how Syria's rebels are trying to consolidate control over pockets of liberated land along the Turkish border even as war rages farther north in Aleppo."  (thanks Laure)