86 Syrian civilians killed in July: Rights group

ISTANBUL

A Syrian rights group said Monday it documented the killing of 86 civilians, including children and women, in July.

In a statement, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said 21 children and eight women were among the victims.

Five of the victims were tortured to death, the NGO added.

According to the rights group, 18 civilians were killed in regime and Russian attacks, while 57 victims lost their lives in attacks by other groups.

The NGO said 14 civilians, including six children, died in landmine explosions.

Syria has been mired in a vicious civil war since early 2011 when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar