Aleppo Prison hit by Al Nusra's truck bomb, loaded with 20 tons explosives

Syrian jihadist groups claimed today that a British national has carried out a huge suicide truck bombing in Syria.

The attack would be the first time that a Briton has died in a suicide attack in Syria, the Times said.

Jihadists named the man as Abu Suleiman al-Britani — a nom de guerre implying that he is British. The man was said by other jihadists to be of Pakistani descent.

Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front has posted photo online for the truck bomb loaded with around 20 tons of explosives, purporting it started the attack at the Aleppo Central prison's main entrance yesterday where large numbers of rebels then followed by attacking the prison, according to activists.

Syrian rebels on Thursday seized control of most of Aleppo's central prison, freeing hundreds of detainees, an NGO said, prompting a denial from state media.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said members of the Islamic Front coalition, dominated by the Ahrar al-Sham brigade and Al-Nusra Front, mounted the assault.

"Ahrar al-Sham and Al-Nusra Front have taken control of 80 percent of Aleppo central prison and freed hundreds of prisoners," Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.

But state television carried a breaking news alert, saying soldiers and security forces had "thwarted an attack against the prison by terrorist groups."

Activists have circulated photos and videos via social media for Seifullah Al Chechani, foreign fighter, saying he was the commander of the successful attack, reportedly has been killed during the clashes.

Ahrar al-Sham said opposition fighters had taken full control of the prison, as did the Aleppo Media Centre, a citizen-journalist outlet.

But Abdel Rahman said fighting was still ongoing at the complex, which reportedly holds some 3,000 detainees, including Islamists, activists and minors.

Rebels have launched attacks on the prisons for months, trying without success on several occasions to seize full control.

Conditions inside are said to be dire, with the Observatory reporting outbreaks of tuberculosis and other diseases.

The conditions prompted the government to announce in December the release of 366 prisoners for "humanitarian reasons".  with agencies