More than 500 people, including dozens of civilians, have been killed since a major Russian-backed regime offensive in Syria’s Aleppo province began this month, a monitor said Wednesday. Following are the exact death toll around Aleppo since February 1, 2016.
Activists on the ground, who monitor on a daily basis using a reliable network of sources for their figures, said the toll of 506 included 23 children killed in Russian air strikes on Aleppo city and its surroundings since the operation was launched on February 1.
Particularly, the activists provided AFP with these numbers:
“At least 143 pro-regime fighters, 274 rebels and foreign jihadists, and 89 civilians were killed from February 1 until Tuesday night,”
They said that 14 Iranian troops and at least three fighters from Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement had died fighting alongside the forces of Syria’s psychopath Baschar al-Assad.
The activists added that more than 100 foreign jihadists, including members of Syria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, had died since the offensive began.
Fighting on Wednesday raged around Tamura, north of Aleppo city, with intense Russian air raids on several nearby villages.
Pro-regime forces have made a series of gains this month in Aleppo province, severing rebel supply lines and prompting tens of thousands to flee towards the Turkish border.
The UN has warned 300,000 people in eastern Aleppo city could be cut off from humanitarian aid if government forces encircle the area, a tactic used by the regime to devastating effect against other former rebel bastions.
AFP contributed to this article.
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