DAMASCUS - Syrian forces clashed Tuesday with armed groups, riding nine SUVs outfitted with PKC machine guns in the northern province of Aleppo, state media says, as activists reporting heavy clashes in the same conflict-torn province.

The clashes in Aleppo has been raging on since last week. On Tuesday the state run SANA news agency said Syrian troops clashed with armed insurgents in Darat Izza area of Aleppo, destroying their PKC-outfitted SUVs.

Meanwhile, pro-government media said clashes are currently ongoing in Bab al-Nairab district in Aleppo.

Earlier in the day, the pro-government al-Watan daily said the army has continued its operation in Aleppo backed by helicopter gunships, which are carrying out reconnaissance mission in the rebellious areas to locate them.

It said the ragtag armed groups contain fighters of different nationalities funded and supported by foreign countries.

Meanwhile, the paper said that army troops have consolidated their control over the Aleppo districts of Salahuddien, Sukary and Sakhour, adding that great losses have befallen the armed insurgents and their leaders.

The paper quoted local citizens as saying that the security apparatus are professionally dealing with the armed elements in Salahuddien, the main stronghold of the armed men.

Meanwhile, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the leader of a rebel battalion in Aleppon was killed in the al-Marjeh neighbourhood by a sniper, adding that several police officers were killed in the Bab al-Neyrab police station after rebel fighters clashed with them.

The Observatory said there are reports that the Masakin Hanano police station has been overrun, adding that clashes are still taking place in the al-Maysar neighbourhood.

It said violent clashes are taking place in the Bab al-Neyrab neighbourhood between rebel fighters and armed members of the Al-Berri clan, who are loyal to the regime.

A Syrian source has recently told the pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV that the Syrian army is fighting the entire world in Aleppo, in reference to foreign fighters currently fighting in Aleppo. Reports of al-Qaida exploiting the situation in Syria and joining the fight against the regime forces have surfaced lately.