Syrian regime airstrikes kill 13, including six children, in southern Idlib

At least 13 people were killed on Wednesday when Syrian regime warplanes struck a city in southern Idlib province, according to local activists.

Among those killed in the airstrikes on the city centre of Maarat al-Numan were six children, according to the Syrian Civil Defence. A further 34 people were injured.

A source from the Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, told The New Arab that a plane had dropped 12 rockets in quick succession on a residential area.

At least three more civilians were killed and 14 injured in airstrikes on the nearby towns of Maasaran, Tamanaa, Saraqeb, and Ghadafa, according to the source, who said that 45 airstrikes took place in Idlib province on Wednesday.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric expressed concern over the airstrikes taking place in Idlib province on earlier this week, saying that "satellite imagery shows entire towns and villages had been razed to the ground, while dozens of communities have been emptied."

The Syrian “First Responders Team” say that 1248 people, including 332 children have been killed in airstrikes since the beginning of a regime assault on Idlib province in late April.

At least 450,000 people have been displaced as a result of the assault, with people taking shelter in fields and olive groves because refugee camps have no space to accommodate them.