22 killed in air strikes by Syria, its ally Russia, says Britain-based monitor | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

22 killed in air strikes by Syria, its ally Russia, says Britain-based monitor

Agence France-Presse, Beirut | By
Sep 21, 2017 07:24 PM IST

On Thursday, at least four people including a father and his two daughters were killed in Russian raids on the town of Khan Sheikun in Idlib, the monitor said, raising the civilian death toll in 48 hours of strikes to 22.

At least 22 civilians have been killed in 48 hours of heavy air strikes by Syria’s regime and its ally Russia in northwestern Syria, a monitor said Thursday.

A Syrian boy runs near his bicycle in the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor on September 21 as Syrian government forces continue to press forward with Russian air cover in the offensive against Islamic State group jihadists across the province.(AFP Photo)
A Syrian boy runs near his bicycle in the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor on September 21 as Syrian government forces continue to press forward with Russian air cover in the offensive against Islamic State group jihadists across the province.(AFP Photo)

The strikes hit areas in the provinces of Idlib and Hama, where an internationally agreed truce zone is meant to be in place, and come in response to an offensive launched Tuesday by jihadists.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Idlib, along with parts of neighbouring Hama and Latakia provinces, forms one of four so-called de-escalation zones agreed last May by regime allies Russia and Iran and rebel backer Turkey.

The agreement has brought relative calm to the regions involved, but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported dozens of raids on Hama and Idlib since Tuesday, when jihadists began attacking government positions.

“The Russian and regime aircraft are practically not leaving the sky over Idlib and Hama,” the Britain-based monitor said.

On Thursday, at least four people including a father and his two daughters were killed in Russian raids on the town of Khan Sheikun in Idlib, the monitor said, raising the civilian death toll in 48 hours of strikes to 22.

Dozens more have been injured, according to the Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria and says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used.

Jihadist factions led by a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, which are not included in the de-escalation deal, launched a fierce assault on Tuesday on a string of government-held villages along the border between Idlib and Hama.

The fighting erupted just days after Iran, Russia and Turkey announced they would jointly police the safe zone in Idlib, Hama, and Latakia provinces.

Russia has already deployed military police to the other three safe zones -- Eastern Ghouta near Damascus, parts of the south and some areas of the central province of Homs.

The de-escalation agreement excludes the jihadists of the Islamic State group and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an alliance dominated by Al-Qaeda’s former Syrian affiliate.

More than 330,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On