The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported 54 civilians killed across three different cities in Syria, as Russia launched airstrikes against ISIS-held strongholds in three different provinces. At least 10 children were said to be among the slain.
The largest incident was in Deir Ezzor Province, where Russian strikes targeted villages around the provincial capital, killing 29. Deir Ezzor has been contested by ISIS and the Syrian military in recent weeks, which huge civilian casualties as ISIS has expanded into several villages.
The other two strikes were in al-Baab, in Aleppo Province, and Ghanto, in Homs Province., which killed 15 and 10, respectively. The Russian government has rejected the accusations, saying it is “absurd” to suggest so many civilians were killed.
Russia has repeatedly denied reports from the Syrian Observatory, much as the US has. Between the two, well over a thousand civilians have been slain in airstrikes, though neither nation has admitted to more than a handful.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights? Seriously?
“In a December 2011 interview with Reuters, [Rami] Abdulrahman [the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, who also runs a clothing shop] said the observatory has a network of 200 people and that six of his sources had been killed. Abdulrahman reports on events in the Syrian uprising, including the deaths of civilians, rebels and army defectors (whom he calls “martyrs”) and government soldiers. [So men and women who die defending their country deserve to die, but Captagon-popping, head-chopping members of Islamic State, Ahraar Al-Shaam, Jaysh Al-Fath and Alqaeda/Nusra are martyrs?] In a 2015 interview with Russia Today, Abdulrahman stated that the last time he visited Syria was in the year 2000.”
That’s a hell of a source you’re using, Antiwar. Who’s subsidizing YOU? We know Abdulrahman has to be getting a check from the USG or Downing Street.
And another thing: your headline is as worthy of ridicule as your source–it wouldn’t have passed an editing class at Cal State Long Beach, which is a really crappy journalism school. The Russian airstrikes aren’t “alleged” since Russia publishes reports and video footage of most of its strikes. What is alleged, by your clothing merchant and part-time CIA asset Rami Abdulrahman, are the civilian casualties.