Russian airstrikes kill eight in Syria’s Aleppo

ALEPPO, Syria

Russian warplanes targeted three residential areas in Aleppo on Saturday leaving eight civilians dead and another 17 injured, local sources told Anadolu Agency.

The sources said that Russia targeted Haritan, Tal Refaat and Ghannanda villages using cluster bombs.

The death toll included women and children.

Russia began 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 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.

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