Russia airstrikes kill 24 in Syria's Latakia: Local sources

HATAY, Turkey

Twenty-four civilians were killed Wednesday -- and dozens were injured -- when Russian warplanes pounded the Turkmendagi and Jabal al-Akrad areas of Syria’s northwestern Latakia province, local sources told Anadolu Agency.

The airstrikes targeted the villages of Cumeren, Ain al-Ghazal, Badama and Zeytincik, according to the sources.

The same sources said the countryside around Latakia had been targeted by Syrian regime artillery and Russian jets since late Tuesday.

Russia began extensive air operations in Syria on Sept. 30 with the aim of supporting the embattled regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

While the Kremlin says the airstrikes target positions held by the Daesh militant group, some members of the western NATO alliance believe Russia is targeting groups opposed to Assad, including some that enjoy U.S. and Turkish support.

According to a report released Wednesday by Amnesty International, Russian airstrikes in Syria have killed "hundreds" of Syrian civilians over the last three months, which, the rights group asserted, represented "violations of international humanitarian law".

The report also suggests that the Russian authorities were attempting to cover up the mounting civilian death toll.

The report provides evidence that the Russian military has used unguided bombs in densely populated civilian areas, along with internationally banned "cluster" munitions.

Amnesty International said that the airstrikes had caused massive destruction to residential areas -- striking homes, mosques, markets and medical facilities -- in violation of international humanitarian law.

At least 250,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in early 2011, according to UN figures.