Missiles fired by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad killed at least 18 civilians Monday in a residential district of the northern city of aleppo, a monitor said.

"Regime forces fired on the Al-Shaar neighbourhood in Aleppo city's east, which is controlled by the opposition, and killed at least 18 civilians," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

He said dozens more were wounded.