Russian attacks in Aleppo 'killed hundreds'

ALEPPO, Syria

Activists are claiming that Russian attacks on Syria’s northwestern Aleppo province and its outskirts killed 390 people, including 53 women and 103 children, in February.

According to a statement released by the Syrian Institute of Justice, Russian warplanes have targeted residential areas. Those killed included a journalist, two medical personnel and six humanitarian aid workers, the group says.

"Russian warplanes hit schools, mosques and hospitals in Aleppo," read the statement, which added: "Russia has carried out intensive bombing raids on opposition-held areas using 2,328 rockets, 213 cluster bombs, three phosphorus bombs and five long-range ballistic missiles."

The statement said that the aim of the attacks on northern Aleppo were to cut off the connection between Syria’s northwestern Idlib province and opposition forces.

The anti-Bashar-al-Assad groups have been trapped in Aleppo city since regime forces closed the humanitarian aid corridor with Turkey last month.

The five-month Russian campaign escalated in February but was temporarily halted after a cessation of hostilities on Feb. 27.

The 97 armed opposition groups, including the High Negotiations Committee and the Free Syrian Army, announced that they would obey the truce for two weeks.

ALEPPO, Syria

Activists are claiming that Russian attacks on Syria’s northwestern Aleppo province and its outskirts killed 390 people, including 53 women and 103 children, in February.

The statement said that the aim of the attacks on northern Aleppo were to cut off the connection between Syria’s northwestern Idlib province and opposition forces.

The anti-Bashar-al-Assad groups have been trapped in Aleppo city since regime forces closed the humanitarian aid corridor with Turkey last month.

The five-month Russian campaign escalated in February but was temporarily halted after a cessation of hostilities on Feb. 27.

The 97 armed opposition groups, including the High Negotiations Committee and the Free Syrian Army, announced that they would obey the truce for two weeks.