Dozens killed in airstrikes on Syrian city of Raqqa
BEIRUT — Syrian state media and opposition activists said Tuesday that airstrikes on the northern city of Raqqa have killed dozens of civilians.
U.S.-backed Syrian opposition fighters have been trying to capture the city from the Islamic State group since June 6, and have been fighting under the cover of airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces now hold more than half of Raqqa, the de facto capital of the extremist group’s self-styled Islamic caliphate.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said airstrikes in Raqqa on Monday killed 42 civilians, including 19 children and 12 women. The activist-run group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said 32 people were killed in airstrikes on one neighbourhood alone.