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‘Dozens dead’ in Syria marketplace

Opposition activists in Syria claim a Russian airstrike on a crowded marketplace in Idlib province has killed over 40 people.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed dozens were also wounded in the attack.

Images on social media purported to show the aftermath of the alleged attack in the town of Ariha in Idlib province, northwest Syria.

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The footage showing bodies, including children, lying amid the ruins of blown out buildings, has not been independently verified.

Officials at the Russian defence ministry could not immediately be reached for comment, but the Russian air force has been conducting air strikes in support of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

Russia claims it is targeting Islamic State militants in Syria, but Idlib province is not a stronghold of the Islamic State group.

Rescue workers said the air strike in Ariha hit a marketplace, wounding dozens of people.

Mohamed Queissi, a rescue worker with the Civil Defence service which operates in rebel-held areas, said the bodies of 31 people had been identified, with 12 more awaiting identification.

“The vendors were shouting loudly as people were buying and selling and suddenly we heard the sound of the planes and in less than a second the jets struck and there was deadly silence.

“I saw people thrown in the street, strewn corpses and terrified children crying and shouting for their parents,” said Mohamed Amine Qurabi, a second Civil Defence worker.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which reports on the war, gave an initial death toll of 18 people including four children and “a leading opposition” member.

It said the toll was likely to rise.

Ariha fell to rebels in May during an advance that resulted in the whole of Idlib province falling to the rebellion against president Bashar al-Assad.

Rebels in Idlib include the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, but not Islamic State.

– ABC

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