Russian Air Strikes Kill 227 Civilians in Bloodiest Day of Bombing

Air strikes and timing reflect uniformity in Russian and Syrian regime military policy towards civilians, Coalition member says

In the bloodiest day since Russia began air strikes on Syria, 227 civilians, including 43 children and 22 women, were killed on Friday in intensified air raids on Aleppo, Rural Damascus, Homs and Idleb. The Russian airstrikes hit mainly residential areas, markets and field hospitals.

Osama Taljo, member of the Syrian National Coalition and head of Aleppo’s provisional council, said the air strikes hit 25 locations in Aleppo and its rural areas, targeting civilian areas. He added that the Russian air force used more than 100 vacuum and cluster bombs.

Taljo confirmed that 107 civilians were killed in the onslaught, adding that rescue teams are still searching for survivors under the rubble. He also noted teams are facing difficulties recovering the victims because of the lack of the necessary equipment.

He said that the National Company for Pharmaceutical Industries has stopped production after being hit with five air strikes, causing severe damage.

Member of the political committee Hassan al-Hashemi described Friday’s bloody massacre as a war crime and a crime against humanity as many of the victims were children and women.

“These air strikes and their timing reflects the Russian vision of the solution, exactly the same vision of the Assad regime which has pursued a military solution and systematic killing since day one,” Hashemi said.

Hashemi points to attempts by some parties "to impose a solution in which Bashar Assad will survive in power,” adding that the Syrian people reject giving Assad any role in Syria’s future, even for a single day.

He also emphasized that Russia, Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah have failed for years to force Syrians to their knees, adding they have so far failed to dissuade the Syrian people from their efforts to topple the regime with all its symbols and pillars.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.

News



Recommend article

Sender's Name:
Sender's Email:
Receiver's Name:
Receiver's Email: