(MENAFN- Morocco World News) At least 28 civilians have been killed in shelling fired by Syrian rebels over the last 24 hours in south-western districts of the country's besieged capital Aleppo, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Rami Abdel Rahman said on Monday.

Six children and eight women were among those killed in two of the capital's government-controlled neighbourhoods, the source added.

Syrian state news agency, SANA, said 20 civilians had been killed and dozens wounded since Sunday in shelling, rocket fire and sniper attacks in government-held neighbourhoods.

It said nine people, including three children, were killed on Monday and 11 people died in attacks on Sunday.

The development came a day after Syrian rebels launched the offensive to break up the government's siege of the eastern, rebel-held part of the city.

Aleppo city has been divided between government control in the west and rebel control in the east since 2012.

The UN estimates some 300,000 people are still trapped in the rebel section of Aleppo, with dwindling food and medical supplies

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