17 civilians killed in latest Syria airstrikes
BEIRUT — At least 11 children were among 17 civilians killed yesterday in airstrikes that targeted an underground shelter in a rebelheld area of southern Syria, a rescue team said yesterday.
The shelter in the southern province of Daraa was the target of multiple strikes by Russian jets, Amer Abu Zied, the provincial head of the volunteer rescue group White Helmets, said.
His claim could not be independently verified.
Meanwhile, opposition sources said a 12hour truce was due to take place at midnight in Daraa.
According to sources, the agreement on the truce was worked out between the Russians and opposition groups in the Jordanian capital, Amman.
‘‘So far it is just talk, and we have to wait and see if the 12hour truce will take place at midnight,’’ Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
A Syrian source close to the Government said that so far the Syrian Government had not been informed of any truce in Daraa. Russia is a major military ally of the Syrian Government.
The 17 civilian deaths are the highest toll in a single day in Daraa since government forces began their campaign there on June 19.
It brings to 96 the total number of civilians who have since been killed there, including 19 children the Britainbased watchdog said. — DPA