Syrian forces are shelling several neighbourhoods in Aleppo as the battle for control of Syria's largest city rages into its sixth day, activists said today.

Most fighters believe the bombardments will be followed by a ground campaign to pacify the city, although reports of massive regime reinforcements have yet to materialise.

Last week, Syrian troops used a similar combination of aerial bombardments and overwhelming ground force to quash a rebel assault on Damascus.

Local activist Mohammed Saeed said that the shelling seems to be random and clashes have spread to key neighbourhoods in the centre of the city.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the fighting and shelling in Aleppo killed 26 people yesterday, including many children.

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