Rebels blow up ancient mosque in Syria

The Syrian opposition militants Sunday blew up an ancient mosque in the northern city of Aleppo, a media report said.

The militants blew up the 800-year-old Al Sultania mosque in the old city of Aleppo near the ancient citadel, said the National TV, adding that the militant groups were attempting to infiltrate the city, according to Xinhua.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a huge explosion was heard in Aleppo, adding that there was a blast in one of the tunnels the rebels dug under Aleppo old city.

Some reports said the blast came amid intense battles between the Syrian troops and an array of rebel groups in Aleppo.

Aleppo, once the economic hub of Syria, has seen the most ferocious battles between the rebels and the government troops. The rebels have controlled almost half of the city and the majority of its countryside while the government are fighting to dislodge them from the city.