Powerful blast rocks district in Syria's Aleppo

A powerful blast rocked a government-controlled district of Syria's northern city of Aleppo, followed by intense battles between armed militants and government troops, a monitor group reported.

The explosion rocked the government-controlled area of Jamiyet al-Zahra', said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, adding that the blast was followed by intense battles between the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front and the Syrian army.

The observatory spelled no further details.

Meanwhile, pro-government activists and other sources said that the al-Qaida-linked groups detonated a tunnel near the Aviation Intelligence Headquarters.

Activists said the intelligence building has likely been destroyed as a result of the powerful explosion, adding that the militants have waged a huge attack on that area against the government troops. Endit