Syrian opposition say dozens killed, wounded in Russian strikes

Civilians among heavy casualties after bomb hit busy market, according to rebel groups, observers

By AP and AFP 29 November 2015, 1:52 pm

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A man sits amid debris in a neighborhood heavily damaged by airstrikes in the village of Deir al-Asafir in the rebel-held region of Eastern Ghouta, on the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus, November 25, 2015. (Photo by AFP Photo/Amer Almohibany)

BEIRUT — Syrian opposition media is reporting that airstrikes believed to be carried out by Russian warplanes have killed and wounded dozens of people in a northwestern Syrian market Sunday.

At least 18 civilians were killed and 40 wounded in “probably Russian” strikes on the Idlib province town of Ariha, which is controlled by the Army of Conquest, a rebel alliance of mainly Islamist groups, including Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The Local Coordination Committees, an activist collective, says the airstrike struck a busy market, inflicting heavy casualties.

Several areas of the town were hit and rescue operations are under way with several critically wounded, the Britain-based group said.

The Army of Conquest alliance seized Ariha in May after heavy fighting with regime forces.

Opposition activists say scores of people have been killed by Russian strikes since the air campaign began on September 30.

Russia says its airstrikes are targeting the Islamic State group and other “terrorists,” but Western officials and Syrian rebels say most of the strikes have focused on central and northern Syria, where IS does not have a strong presence.

Russian airstrikes have previously hit several Army of Conquest positions in Idlib province.