Activists say Syrian troops and rebels are fighting some of the fiercest battles in the northern city of Aleppo, The Associated Press reports.

The clashes Friday, Sept 28 are part of a new push by the rebels to drive regime forces out of Syria's largest city and commercial capital after weeks of stalemate.

Aleppo-based activist Baraa al-Halabi says some of the heaviest battles are taking place in a predominantly Kurdish neighborhood.

The major rebel group in the city - the Tawhid Brigade - says on its Facebook page that its members have entered the Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood to fight pro-government Kurdish gunmen.

Meanwhile, state-run Syrian TV says government troops repulsed an attack on the neighborhood with the help of its residents.

Aleppo was once a bastion of support for President Bashar Assad.