More deaths in Idlib

At least eight people including five children were killed yesterday in Russian air strikes on northwest Syria, as France and Turkey appealed for an end to violence that has forced tens of thousands to flee.

Heightened regime and Russian bombardment has hit the militant-held province of Idlib since mid-December, as regime forces make steady advances on the ground despite an August cease-fire and UN calls for a de-escalation.

Nearly 80 civilians have been killed by air strikes and artillery attacks over the same period, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which estimates that more than 40,000 people have been displaced in recent weeks.

“These attacks should come to an end immediately,” Turkey said Tuesday after sending a delegation to Moscow to discuss the flare-up.