DAMASCUS - A Syrian military source said Thursday that the rebels have shelled the central prison in Syria's Aleppo, killing many prisoners and injuring others.

The source, whose remarks were carried by the state-TV, denied the reports that the rebels had stormed the prison.

But the rebels said two car bombs were detonated in the vicinity of the prison, followed by intense clashes between government troops and the attackers.

The 26-month-long crisis in Syria has claimed over 70,000 lives and displaced millions of people to neighboring countries, according to recent UN statistics.