Jihadi group claims responsibility for Aleppo blasts

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A series of suicide bombings in Syria's largest city has killed at least 31 people. State TV reports that three explosions rocked a government-controlled district in Aleppo. TODAY's Natalie Morales reports.By NBC News staff and wire reportsUpdated at 8:21 a.m. ET: A Syrian Islamist militant group has claimed responsibility for a series of deadly bombings in Syria's largest city that early Wednesday ripped through two hotels, a Syrian army officers' club and a city administrative complex, NBC News reported.

Four explosions ripped through a government-controlled district in Aleppo, causing widespread destruction and killing at least 40 people, according to activists.

The blasts in Aleppo, which came within minutes of each other, struck the main Saadallah al-Jabiri Square close to a military officers' club and a fifth bomb exploded a few hundred meters away, state television said.

The carnage took place on the fringes of the Old City where rebels and forces loyal to President Bashar Assad have been fighting.

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