The attack was reportedly carried out by militants from al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) that killed 26 people on Saturday, including the military leader of Tawheed Brigades group, Adnan Bakkour.

Head of the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a pro-opposition NGO, reported the attack which took place in Aleppo’s Al-Ra'ii area.

Aleppo is considered to be the main base for Saudi-backed militants who have been occupying some parts of the province for more than a year.

During recent weeks the region has been scene of deadly battles between rival groups of militants, which unverified reports say have left more than a thousand militants dead since the start of the year.

Army improvements have been slow in this part of the country as there are many villages and towns with their residents being used as human shield by militant groups.

Syria sank into war in March 2011, when pro-reform protests turned into a massive insurgency following the intervention of Western and regional states.

According to reports more than 130,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in the turmoil.

SHI/SHI