10 killed as fighter jets hit Syria's Idlib targets

International Desk: Air raids have pounded areas in Syria's last rebel-held province of Idlib, killing several civilians and raising further concerns that an all-out government offensive is only a matter of time.

The strikes on Tuesday came as the United Nations urged Russia, a Syrian government ally, and Turkey, which backs certain rebel groups in Idlib, to help avert a "bloodbath".

A full-scale military offensive would be devastating for the nearly three million people living in the province, including many rebels and civilians who were bussed out of other areas as they came back under government control.

The bombing mainly targeted the city of Jisr al-Shughour on Idlib's western edge, along with its surrounding towns and villages, activists told newsmen.

The attacks lasted for several hours before subsiding at around 7pm local time (17:00 GMT).

At least 10 civilians were killed in the air raids and 20 others were wounded, according to Ahmed Yarji from the White Helmets, a group of rescue workers operating in rebel-held territories.

Other sources put the death toll to at least 17.

Yarji said five children, all members of the same family and aged between five and 11, were among those killed.

"Civilian homes were the only buildings being targeted," the 33-year-old said.

"Medics were able to respond but it was incredibly challenging, especially since the main roads used by ambulances were also bombed," Yarji added.

According to Yarji, a double-tap air raid targeted members of the White Helmets as they reached a site hit in an earlier attack.

"Residents of the area are scared to sleep inside their homes today, and many have opted to sleep in the wilderness, fearing another wave of air strikes," he said. 

Activists also said the latest attacks prompted dozens to flee towards Aleppo on the easten side of Idlib, or towards Turkey, which has sealed off its border with Syria since last year, allowing only for the flow of humanitarian goods. 

Shortly before Tuesday's raids, the Kremlin called Idlib a "pocket of terrorism" and said the presence of rebel groups there undermines the possibility of a political settlement to Syria's seven-year war.

"We know that Syria's armed forces are preparing to resolve this problem," Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson,  without commenting on a timeframe for the expected operation.

Source: Agencies


risingbd/Sept 5, 2018/Mukul