UN chief condemns air strike in Syria's Idlib city

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned air-strikes carried out in Syria's northwestern Idlib city which hit a market and left dozens of civilians dead or wounded.

The air-strikes took place while a ceasefire stipulated in the Four Towns Agreement, which covers Idlib city, had reportedly been restored over the weekend, a UN spokesperson told a daily briefing.

Reports said air-strikes carried out on Sunday by Syrian or Russian warplanes killed more than 20 people in the city of Idlib, including at least five children. Russia has denied any involvement with the air-strikes.

The Secretary-General condemns the "abhorrent attack" which hit a vegetable market and the only bakery in the area, said UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. "He calls on all those responsible for attacks on civilians to be held accountable."

Idlib, much of which controlled by an array of jihadi groups, has been under intensified air-strikes since last month. On June 1, at least 15 people were killed in air-strikes targeted a town in the province of Idlib.

More than 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives in the Syrian conflict since 2011. The warring parties agreed last year in September on a ceasefire for four towns, namely the Shiite towns of Kafraya and Foa in Idlib province, and Zabadani and Madaya held by pro-government forces. However, the agreement has not been fully implemented. Enditem