Rebel rocket fire killed at least 16 people in government-controlled areas in the northern city of Aleppo, state news agency SANA reported.

The rocket fire targeted the town of al-Zahra' and other residential areas controlled by the government in Aleppo, said the report, adding that over 86 others were wounded.

The rebels have intensified their attacks against government areas for the past three days, leaving tens of civilians killed.

A day earlier, Syrian army foiled a massive infiltration attempt by opposition militants in the western part of Aleppo, killing many of them, a military source told Xinhua.

The armed militants attempted to infiltrate the al-Assad Suburb west of Aleppo at dawn Sunday, but the Syrian army repelled the attack, after carrying out air strikes against the attackers' positions and shelling them with rockets and artillery, the source said on condition of anonymity.

He said the infiltrators were sneaking into the area through the sewage system.

The rebels, mainly the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, in the eastern part of Aleppo city, has repeatedly attempted to infiltrate government-controlled areas in the western Aleppo in recent weeks.

The rebels' attempts to attack government areas have also been coupled with mortar shelling.

Source: XINHUA