Syrian rebels said they had gained control over a suburb in western Aleppo, during an assault to break the government's siege of the city.

Islamist rebel group Fateh al-Sham said they had captured Dahiyet al-Assad, a residential district of about a square kilometer. Another rebel group said the insurgents had only occupied the residential area, rather than the whole suburb.

However, the claims of control are unconfirmed, as a Syrian military source earlier said the army and its allies had thwarted rebel attacks on south and west Aleppo. State television reported that the army had destroyed four car bombs.