Five White Helmets killed in Aleppo air raids

Five members of a civil defence team - known as the White Helmets - were killed and two others wounded when suspected Russian war planes bombed the city of al-Atarib, west of Aleppo.

"Two planes from the Russian air force carried out more than six strikes late on Monday night, targeting civilian homes and a centre for civil defence," Mohammed al-Halabi told The New Arab.

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Halabi added that two others from the force were severely wounded, while women and children were also badly hurt in the attack.

The White Helmets operate mostly in rebel-held areas, but remain neutral in their rescue efforts. The volunteers save people on all sides of the conflict - pledging commitment to the principles of "humanity, solidarity, impartiality" as outlined by the International Civil Defence Organisation.

Due to Damascus' ferocious assault on rebel areas, The White Helmets mostly deal with the aftermath of regime air attacks. But they have risked sniper fire to rescue bodies of government soldiers to allow them to have a proper burial. They claim that they have saved over 20,000 lives.

pic.twitter.com/6dxTMZEvIj — The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) April 26, 2016 " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Atareb @SyriaCivilDef Center. Struck by 2 airstrikes and a missile pic.twitter.com/6dxTMZEvIj — The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) April 26, 2016