Russian and Syrian regime Idlib bombing kill dozens of civilians

Intense airstrikes on rebel-held Idlib province left at least 45 civilians dead on Monday, as opposition to the Russian and Syrian regime bombing intensifies.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

27 September, 2017

Idlib has suffered more bombing from Russian warplanes [Anadolu]

Intense Russian and Syrian regime bombing has led to huge civilian casualties in rebel-held Idlib province, which could threaten the country's localised ceasefires.

Airstrikes on Monday killed at least 37 civilians, including 12 children, around Jisr al-Shighour in north-west Idlib - the highest death toll since the province was given protection from bombing under Russian-Turkish-Iranian sponsored "de-escalation zones" in May.

A recent offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel fighters in Hama has led to Russia and the Syrian regime launch "revenge" airstrikes on Idlib, which is mostly controlled by the al-Qaeda linked force.

Hospitals and markets were among the areas hit by alleged Russian bombs.

Photos of children and civilians killed or severely injured by the bombing have been shared on social media.

"The air raids struck several locations and villages in the district of Jisr al-Shighour, leaving 37 dead among civilians, including 12 children," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP, updating an earlier toll of 27 dead.

Other Syrian news outlets put the death toll at least 45.

Turkey which has been working with Russia on bring peace to Syria.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey could work with Russia on locating "terrorists" in Idlib.

"If they continue arbitrary bombing everywhere, the outcome might be Aleppo. There could be the risk of a new migration wave," he said.

Syria's six-year war has seen 500,000 people killed, the vast majority believed to have died under regime and Russian bombing.