Seven people killed in Russian airstrikes on Idlib's Ariha

(Zaman Al Wasl)- At least 7 civilians killed and dozen more wounded in fresh Russian airstrikes a marketplace in northern Idlib province, Civil Defense rescuing group said.

Tuesday's strikes hit the central market of the town of Ariha, leaving seven people killed as the White Helmets volunteers work to rescue people trapped under rubble.

On Monday, 12 civilians were also killed in Russian strikes on the marketplace in Saraqib town in Idlib.

Meanwhile, the Syrian opposition decided not to participate in Sochi congress, saying Turkey authority to represent it, Anadolu Agency reported

7 civilians killed and many wounded today after warplane airstrikes on central market in #Ariha city in #Idlib countryside. #CivilDefense teams working to evacuate the martyrs and continue the rescue operation.
30 #January pic.twitter.com/MyA1VEUBeb
— The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) January 30, 2018

Idlib province is the biggest chunk of Syria still held by rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad, with a population swollen by Syrians who have fled government advances in other parts of the country. Assad has defeated rebels in many parts of western Syria with critical help from Russia and Iran.

A total of 5,783 civilians were killed in Syria, mainly by the Russian forces, over the last two years, according to a report released by Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) on Saturday, Anadolu Agency reported.

The report said 1,596 children and 992 women were among those killed between Sept. 30, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2017.

It said nearly 2.3 million individuals were displaced as a direct result of the Russian offensives along with their allies.

At least 294 “massacres” were committed by the Russian forces, while 141 attacks targeted the medical facilities, leaving at least 53 medical personnel dead, according to the report.

Russian forces used cluster munitions in nearly 217 attacks.

More than 470,000 people have been killed and 12 millions have been driven from their homes since Syria's revolutions erupted in 2011.