Russia-Assad 'civilian massacre' death toll climbs to 82

Russia also accused of using incendiary weapons Aleppo as the reported number of civilian killed in Deir ez-Zor strikes increases.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

26 June, 2016

Russia is accused of using white phosphorus and other incendiaries in their airstrikes [Anadolu]

At least 82 people including 58 civilians were killed in Russian and government airstrikes on an Islamic State group-held area of eastern Syria, activists said on Sunday in a new toll.

"Three Russian and Syrian regime air raids on the region of Qurieh, southeast of Deir ez-Zor city, killed 58 civilians," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

It added that 24 other people were killed, however it was not specified whether they were civilians or militants.

The Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of opposition sources in Syria, initially reported that 47 people including 31 civilians died in the raids around Qurieh.

This news comes as activists have accused Moscow of having used incendiary weapons in their assault on Aleppo on Saturday.

The accusation is based on images of the attack, which experts believe show that the Russian air force may be using thermobaric bombs, which are the most powerful explosives apart from nuclear weapons and are potentially detrimental for civilians if detonated near urban areas.

The aerial attack by regime forces has not ceased during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began with airstrikes that killed dozens in the same province as yesterday's attack

No Ramadan pause in carnage


	Experts accuse Russia of having used thermite, which burns at 2,200C, in their assault on Aleppo [Anadolu]

Since September 2015, Russian warplanes have provided aerial support to forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

During this campaign many civilians have been killed, drawing strong criticism from Syria's rebels and their allies, as well as international organisations and governments.

The aerial attack by regime forces has not ceased during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began with airstrikes that killed dozens in the same province as yesterday's attack.

More than half of Deir ez-Zor city - which is the capital of the province with the same name - is currently controlled by the IS group. The province lies next to the IS group stronghold of Raqqa which is also facing advances by Russian and Syrian government forces.