6 May
Syrian government forces have conducted air strikes on the rebel-held northwestern province of Idlib and other areas, killing dozens of people.
President Bashar al-Assad's government began escalating air bombardments of anti-government strongholds in Idlib and the neighboring province of Hama since last Tuesday.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the air strikes have killed 44 civilians over the past five days.
Russian military jets reportedly took part in the air strikes. Moscow supports the Assad administration.
Last September, Russia and Turkey agreed to set up a demilitarized zone in Idlib province and nearby areas.
The Assad administration announced through the state-run media that it conducted the air bombardments in retaliation for violations of the agreement by an Al Qaeda-affiliated extremist group.
Syrian government forces reportedly continued air strikes on Sunday amid mounting concern over a possible re-start of large-scale attacks on insurgents in the country and further civilian casualties.
NHK
