A Russian parachute bomb which created a huge mushroom cloud after exploding in Syria killed 11 civilians, according to a local civil defence official.

The devastating airstrike also injured 25 people in the Aleppo province located in the north west of the war-torn country.

3 A Russian parachute bomb created a huge mushroom cloud after exploding in Syria Credit: Getty Images

The attack happened a day after a 10-hour ceasefire by Russian and Syrian government forces came to an end.

The truce, which was decided in Aleppo, was described by Russia as a final chance for rebels to leave besieged areas.

Syrian armed groups claimed yesterday it had launched an operation to retake the city of Raqqa, the de factor capital of Islamic State.

A spokesman for the Syria Democratic Forces was heard saying the campaign would start within hours.

3 11 people were killed and 25 injured in Aleppo province Credit: Getty Images

Jehan Sheikh Amad told a news conference in the Syrian town of Ain Issa: "The general command of the Syria Democratic Forces announces the blessed start of its major military campaign to liberate the city of Raqqa."

The operation is backed by the United States and will involve air strikes including the Kurdish YPG militia.

The SDF said it aimed to: "isolate and then topple the capital of international terrorism."

Syria has been devastated by a vicious civil war since 2011. More than 470,000 people are believed to have been killed so far.

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The U.S. has been the main partner on the ground in the coalition against Islamic State.

Turkey's concerns about expanding Kurdish influences in northern Syria have complicated matters.

They claim Raqqa will be hit as part of a Turkish operation against Islamic State.

SDF deny any Turkish involvement in the Raqqa campaign and have called on civilians to stay in "liberated territory".

3 The parachute bomb exploded a day after the ceasefire ended Credit: Getty Images

An attack on Raqqa has been expected for some time with the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, Army Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend saying the coalition fighting Islamic State wanted to move urgently to isolate Raqqa.

French President Francois Hollande said everything must be done to stop Islamic State fighters from regrouping in Raqqa.

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told Europe 1 radio: "We have to go to Raqqa ... it will automatically be local forces that will liberate Raqqa even if French forces, U.S. forces, the coalition contribute with air strikes to dismantle Daesh."