At least five people were killed in Aleppo, Syria on Saturday when a bomb exploded at a car wash. The rebel group Free Syrian Army was initially said to have claimed responsibility for the attack, but the group later denied having made a statement in the matter.

A local activist told Associated Press that the car wash targeted was owned by a man who serves in a pro-government militia.

Earlier in the day nine cars were destroyed in a bombing in Damascus. No injuries were reported.

Until recently Aleppo was relatively quiet as fighting rocked much of the country. However, a raid on Aleppo University last week in which four students were killed was met with major protests.

Security forces killed a 16-year-old protester as they tried to restore calm, leading to further tension.

More than 9,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar Assad began in March 2011.