Syrian activists claim that a Russian military jet launched an airstrike Sunday that ravaged a busy marketplace in the town of Ariha and left upwards of dozens of people dead, including civilians and children.
At least 30 people died as the result of the airstrike, Reuters reported. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed 18 people, including four children and “a leading opposition” member, had been killed in the assault, and that the toll would likely rise to nearly 60.
“The vendors were shouting loudly as people were buying and selling and suddenly we heard the sound of the planes and in less than a second the jets struck and there was deadly silence,” 25-year-old Mohamed Amine Qurab told Reutersi. “I saw people thrown in the street, strewn corpses and terrified children crying and shouting for their parents.”
The northwestern Syrian town of Ariha isn’t considered a stronghold for the Islamic State, the terrorist group currently being targeted by both an international coalition led by the U.S. and a separate Russian campaign.
Since launching attacks in late September, Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted that his country is conducting strikes intended to wipe out Islamic State targets. Some critics have cried foul, however, and have accused the Kremlin of using its military to take out not just the Islamic State, but other unaffiliated forces who share the common goal of removing Syrian leader and Putin ally Bashar Assad from power.
More than than 400 civilians have been killed by Russian strikes since Moscow began its aerial campaign in Syria a month ago, The Associated Press reported, citing local opposition activists.
Russia’s defense ministry could not be reached for comment, Reuters reported.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.
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