RUSSIAN AIRSTRIKES KILL 41 IN ALEPPO, INCLUDING 15 CHILDREN

Syria, 3 Rabi’ul Awwal 1437/14 December 2015 (MINA) –  Forty-one people were killed and another 65 injured Saturday in Russian airstrikes that targeted Aleppo province, Syrian Civil Defense sources told Anadolu Agency.

The sources in the towns of Atarib and Munbij said that a Russian airstrike targeted a residential area in Munbij, leaving 30 people dead, including 15 children, Anadolu Agency reports as quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

Another 11 people were killed in another airstrike on Atarib.

Meanwhile, local activists told Anadolu Agency that Syrian regime forces bombarded Eastern Ghouta on Saturday in areas that include Hamuriye, Sakba, Kafr Batna and Jasrain, leaving scores dead. Exact figures, however, were not available.

Russia began air operations in Syria on Sept. 30 with the aim of supporting the embattled regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

While the Kremlin says the airstrikes target the Daesh militant group, some members of the western NATO alliance believe Russia is targeting groups opposed to Assad, including some that enjoy U.S. and Turkish support.

At least 250,000 people have been killed since the Syria conflict began in 2011, according to UN figures. (T/P010/R03)