For several hours on Monday afternoon, Russian fight jets attacked rebel-held areas in Syria's western Latakia province, killing at least 45 people, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said Tuesday. Among those killed in the airstrikes was Basil Zamo, a defector from the Syrian army who led the First Coastal Division rebel group, one of several militias trying to unseat President Bashar al-Assad with the help of anti-Assad governments, including the United States. Another monitoring group fueled by local activists, the Local Coordination Committees, put Monday's deal toll at 57 in Latakia province, most of them rebels.
In all, over the past three weeks, Russian airstrikes have killed 370 people in Syria, including 36 children, 34 women, and 57 other civilians, the Observatory said, adding that Russian strikes have also killed 243 fighters from various insurgent groups, including Islamic State. Backed by the Russian attacks, Syria's army and its allied Iranian-backed militias have retaken ground from the rebel groups.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostagesSpeed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 yearsSpeed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for UkraineSpeed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red SeaSpeed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Israel preparing to flood Hamas tunnels with seawaterSpeed Read IDF pumps could drive out terrorists but critics warn of danger to hostages and Gaza water supply
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacksspeed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages releasedSpeed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
