27 killed in heavy shelling on rebel-held area in Syria's Aleppo

At least 27 people were killed Saturday by government forces' shelling on rebel-held districts in Syria's northern city of Aleppo, a monitor group reported.

Children were also among the killed on the fifth day of the intensified shelling in Aleppo, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The UK-based watchdog said Saturday's death toll is the highest in a single day, as scores of barrel bombs and artillery shells targeted several rebel-held areas in the eastern part of Aleppo.

The bombardment came as intense battles were raging in the northern part of the eastern Aleppo between jihadi groups and the Syrian army.

The Observatory said the Syrian forces managed to advance in the Bustan al-Basha area, controlling several buildings in that part of the city.

Meanwhile, rebels also shelled the government-controlled areas in the western part of Aleppo on Saturday, killing at least two and wounding 17 others.

A day earlier, the Observatory reported that at least 119 people had been killed over the past few days as a result of intense shelling in Aleppo.

For months, the Syrian government and Russia have been urging rebels to leave Aleppo, offering them safe passages to other rebel-held areas in the northwestern province of Idlib.

The rebels, however, turned down all offers, which has resulted in intensified violence. Endit