Russian airstrike on Daraa basement kills 17 Syrian civilians

At least 46 people - including children - have been killed following intense Syrian regime and Russian air raids on Daraa province since Wednesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported.

Russian airstrikes on the besieged opposition areas of southern Syria have killed at least 22 civilians so far on Thursday, as the regime continues its offensive on Daraa province.

Most of those killed have been in one town, as bombs rain down on Daraa's al-Mseifra with a strike on a basement sheltering civilians killing at least five children.

"At least 35 Russian air strikes hit the town of al-Mseifra," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"One of them hit a basement where people were taking shelter, killing 17 civilians, including five children," the UK-based monitor said.

The hospital in al-Mseifra was put out of service following a Russian airstrike on the medical centre on Tuesday night - along with two others - leading to further misery for civilians in opposition areas in Daraa.

"This is the highest toll since the escalation began on 19 June," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

Bashar al-Assad's regime offensive - backed by Iran and Russia - was launched on Daraa province last week, one of the last opposition strongholds in Syria.

Scores have been killed in fierce shelling, air raids and rocket attacks on towns in Daraa.

Jordan has refused to open its borders to the Syrian civilians, with aid agencies and human rights groups urging the government to accept refugees.

Daraa is supposed to be covered by a ceasefire, but this has been ignored by the Syrian regime as they attempt to take the last territories from rebels.