Warplanes have bombed the Islamic State group's de facto Syrian capital Raqa, killing at least 25 civilians, after the jihadists drove pro-government forces out of their bastion northern province. Twin offensives aimed at severing the jihadists' supply line from the Turkish border to Raqa city appear to have largely stalled as IS mounts a fierce defence using suicide bombers.
Six children were among the 25 civilians killed in bombing raids on Raqa city Tuesday, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "Dozens more were wounded, some of them critically," said the British-based monitor, adding they were likely carried out by regime ally Russia. The Syrian government, Russia and a US-led coalition have all carried out air strikes against IS in Raqa.
The Observatory said fresh raids, apparently by the coalition, also hit the city Wednesday. Raqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) - an anti-IS activist group which gathers news on atrocities in the city - posted photos of what it said were the aftermath of Tuesday's strikes. They show a concrete balcony hanging off the damaged facade of a residential building as a large fire engulfs a white minivan. The group has accused IS of preventing civilians from leaving the city in order to use them as human shields. RBSS activist Abu Mohammad told AFP that Tuesday's wounded were struggling to get proper medical treatment as IS has recruited most doctors in the city to treat its own fighters.
Raqa city was seized by IS in early 2014 and regime forces were expelled from the entire province that year. Backed by Russian warplanes, government forces re-entered the province this month as part of an offensive to retake Tabqa, a key town on IS's supply route from Turkey to Raqa city. But after advancing to within seven kilometres (four miles) of Tabqa airbase, they were driven back late Monday in a jihadist attack that killed 40 loyalists.
Comments
Comments are closed.