Airstrikes kill at least 34 in Syria's Idlib

At least 34 people were killed on Sunday by intensified airstrikes on rebel-held areas in Syria's northern province of Idlib, a monitor group reported.

Seven children and six women were among those killed in at least 40 air raids on areas in the countryside of Idlib, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The UK-based watchdog said the airstrikes targeted the towns of Sarmin, Jisr al-Shughour, Marat al-Numan, Kafr Nubol, Khan Shaikoun and other areas in Idlib's countryside.

The death toll is likely to rise due to a large number of critically wounded people, it added.

The Observatory, which says it relies on a network of activists on ground, made no mention of the identity of the warplanes striking Idlib.

Meanwhile, Idlib-based activists said that at least 55 people were killed in the airstrikes, posting online some photos of what they said was the aftermath of an airstrike on a vegetable marketplace in Marat Numan area.

Much of Idlib has fallen to the rebels over the past year, except two Shiite towns loyal to the government.

The rebels who are fleeing or evacuating areas under their control in the capital Damascus or the northern city of Aleppo were all headed toward Idlib, making the province increasingly heavy with armed militants. Endit