Russian and Syrian regime warplanes pounded towns in opposition-held Idlib province Saturday, a day after a summit of the presidents of Turkey, Iran and Russia failed to agree on a ceasefire that would forestall a Russian-backed offensive.
Witnesses and rescuers said at least a dozen air strikes hit a string of villages and towns in southern Idlib and the town of Latamneh in northern Hama, where rebels are still in control.
Syrian helicopters dropped so-called barrel bombs – containers filled with explosive material – on civilian homes on the outskirts of the city of Khan Sheikhoun, two residents of the area in southern Idlib said.
Three civilians were killed in the village of Abdeen in southern Idlib, a civil defense source said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Russian air strikes on Idlib on Saturday were the "most violent" since the regime threatened to attack it around a month ago.
Nearly 60 Russian air raids hit the south and southeast of Idlib province in less than three hours
The Russian strikes as well as regime bombardment with barrel bombs killed at least four civilians, the Britain-based group said.
Friday's summit had focused on a looming military operation in Idlib, the last major stronghold of active opposition in Syria to the rule of Bashar Assad.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pushed for a ceasefire during the summit but Russian President Vladimir Putin said a truce would be pointless as it would not involve militant groups Assad and his allies deem as terrorists.
Tehran and Moscow have helped Assad turn the course of the war against an array of opponents ranging from Western-backed rebels to the militants, while Turkey is a leading opposition supporter and has troops in the country.
The United Nations fears a full-scale offensive could cause a humanitarian catastrophe involving tens of thousands of civilians.
AFP, Reuters
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