( CNN ) -- Syrian rebels bombed a hotel used as a base for government forces , the latest massive attack in the seesaw battle for the country 's largest city . The Islamic Front , Syria 's most powerful rebel alliance , claimed responsibility for the blast on Twitter . The group said it targeted the Carlton Citadel Hotel and several other buildings in the old city of Aleppo . According to the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , at least 14 people were killed and dozens were injured . The blast took place near historical ruins in Aleppo . The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency described an `` enormous attack on Aleppo old city antiquities launched by terrorists ... blowing up tunnels they dug under archeological buildings . '' Syrian state-run TV said the army confronted `` terrorist mercenaries as they tried to clash with the army after they dug a tunnel and detonated their bomb . '' A military source said the Syrian army managed to control the area and `` killed scores of these terrorists , '' the network said . State-run TV reporter Chadi Hilwe said Thursday is also the third day Aleppo is facing a water shortage because terrorists targeted a water treatment plant . Government forces and rebels have been battling for control of Aleppo throughout Syria 's 3-year-old civil war . The uprising against President Bashar al-Assad 's regime began in 2011 , with dissidents seeking democratic reforms and greater freedoms . Al-Assad 's family has ruled Syria for 43 years . After a fierce government crackdown , the peaceful protests spiraled into an armed rebellion , with rebels demanding al-Assad 's ouster . The Syrian regime has consistently said it is battling `` terrorists . '' As the battles rage on , foreign fighters -- including radical militants -- have joined both sides of the civil war . Well over 100,000 people , including many civilians , have been killed in the past three years . Evacuation truce in Homs goes into effect . What does the Homs truce mean for Syria ?
The Islamic Front rebel alliance claimed responsibility for the attack . The group says it killed at least 50 Syrian soldiers . State - run media says the Syrian Army killed dozens of terrorists . Well over 500 people have been killed in Syria 's civil war .