Russia's 7 months airstrikes in Syria have killed at least 5,799 people - NGO

Russian airstrikes have killed at least 5,799 people in Syria since Moscow's aerial campaign started in late September, the opposition-aligned Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Saturday.

According to the British-based NGO, at least 2,005 civilians were among those killed, including 481 minors and 305 women.

The Russian airstrikes, which began on Sept. 30, have also claimed the lives of 2,035 Islamic State fighters, as well as 1,759 members of Syrian rebel factions and the Al-Nusra Front, Al Qaeda's affiliate in Syria.


Russia, a Syrian government ally, says that its aerial campaign is targeting extremist groups. However, activists and opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad say the airstrikes also have targeted civilians and members of so-called moderate rebel factions.

Russian airstrikes have contributed to the advance of the Syrian army in recent months in several parts of the Arab nation.

Source