Free Syrian Army rebels cleaning their AK47s in Aleppo, Syria, during the country's civil war on Oct. 19, 2012. Photo: VOA News/Wikimedia Commons.

Syrian rebels claimed Monday that they killed 100 Hezbollah fighters as they were readying for an attack on rebel-held parts of the northern city of Aleppo, Arab media reported.

According to reports, Syrian government forces were also preparing for a major offensive on the city.

Much of northern Syria has been controlled by rebel groups since last year.

According to the BBC, an article in the pro-government Syrian newspaper, al-Watan, said the army was now “deploying heavily in the countryside near Aleppo in preparation for a battle that will be fought inside the city and on its outskirts.”

“Besieged areas will be freed in the first stages and troops which have been on the defensive will go on the offensive.”

It added: “The Syrian army will take advantage of its experience in Qusair and Eastern Ghouta [near Damascus] to advance in the provinces of Hama and Homs.”