Rocket attacks kill 20 in Syria

At least 20 people, including women and children, were killed Sunday when armed rebels shelled two towns in Syria's northern province of Aleppo, a radio report said.

The victims were killed when rebels fired Grad missiles and artillery shells at the pro-government towns of Nubbul and al-Zahara in the countryside of Aleppo, Xinhua reported.

Both towns are inhabited by people from the Shiite minority.

The attack came in the wake of some rebels' reports that Syrian troops backed by paramilitary groups had killed tens of Sunni people during operations in the coastal city of Banyas.