More than 40 people killed in Russian strikes in Raqqa
ARA News
URFA – The Russian warplanes launched a new wave of airstrikes on the northeastern Syrian city of Raqqa, killing at least 42 people, including militants of the Islamic State (ISIS), local activists reported on Friday.
At least 27 civilians and 15 ISIS militants were killed in Russian raids that targeted the city of Raqqa.
Speaking to ARA News in Raqqa, media activist Saleh Raqqawi said that the Russian warplanes have destroyed several centers for the radical group and bombed an old bridge on the Euphrates River, beside hitting public institutions in the city.
“The airstrikes have destroyed a part of the National Hospital, at-Talaa Camp and residential buildings near the Kids Park,” Raqqawi added.
In October, a total of 254 civilians were killed in Russian airstrikes, according to a report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights.
Russia started its airstrikes in Syria on Sep. 30. The campaign has shown Moscow’s support to the the embattled president Bashar al-Assad, claiming it only targets ISIS extremists.
Local reports indicated the bombardment of several opposition-held areas by Russian warplanes under the pretext of fighting terrorism.
The Russian intervention coincided with intense battles between rebel factions and pro-regime troops.
On Tuesday, the leadership of the Russian Air Force announced that it has carried out 1,631 sorties, hitting 2084 targets for militants since the start of the Russian campaign in Syria on Sep. 30.
According to the U.N., more than 120,000 Syrian people have been displaced since Moscow’s bombing campaign started.
The ongoing war has caused the death of more than 250,000 people and the displacement of more than 11 million from their homes over the past four years.
Reporting by: Jan Nasro
Source: ARA News
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