The state-run SANA news agency gave no specific toll. It said the strikes were around the southeastern edge of Aleppo.

However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that at least 12 pro-Syrian government fighters were killed in the Israeli strike that targeted a factory near Aleppo.

"Twelve pro-Iranian fighters of Syrian and foreign nationalities were killed, according to an initial tally, in an Israeli air strike on a position in the town of Hayyan, north of Aleppo, setting off strong explosions in a factory,", the war monitor said.

The Syrian Ministry of Defence said in a statement that "after midnight... the Israeli enemy launched an air attack from the southeast of Aleppo, targeting some positions" near the city, adding that "the aggression caused several martyrs and material damage".

According to the Observatory -- which is based in Britain, but maintains a vast network of sources inside Syria -- rescuers and firefighters were deployed to the site to treat the injured and contain blazes caused by the strike.

The NGO claimed that Hayyan is "controlled by pro-Iranian groups composed of Syrians and foreigners".

Israel did not immediately acknowledge the strikes.

Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on its northern neighbour since the outbreak of Syria's civil war, mainly targeting Iran-backed fighters, including from the Hezbollah group.

The strikes have increased since its war on the Gaza Strip began on October 7.