Syria's rebels have seized a key district in the embattled northern city of Aleppo, as troops again bombarded areas south of Damascus.

The takeover was a strategic victory for the rebels, as it secured a key route linking Syria's second city to its international airport.

Activists said the takeover also severed regime forces' access to a military airfield.

"Rebel fighters have seized Sheikh Said, which was the last land route linking Nayrab airport to the city," the anti-regime Aleppo Media Centre said.

According to the AMC's Abu Hisham, the battle for Aleppo's airports has become a key rebel objective.