Cluster Munitions Strike in Syria Kills and Injures Dozens Lapid Announces Militant Opposition to Netanyahu Government

At least ten people have been killed in bomb attacks in northern Syria. About 70 other people were injured in artillery fire by Syrian government forces, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the rescue organization White Helmets said Sunday. Internationally banned cluster munitions are said to have been used.

The attacks hit several refugee camps in the Idlib region. Russian warplanes are also said to have bombed positions. At first, however, there were no details.

Cluster munitions refer to much smaller explosives launched in containers from aircraft and rocket launchers. They are scattered randomly and over a large area and explode. Many also end up in the ground as duds, killing or injuring people years later. Most of the victims are civilians.

After more than a decade of civil war, the region around Idlib is the country’s last major rebel area. Russia and Turkey, as protecting powers of the Syrian government and the opposition respectively, have agreed on a ceasefire for the long-disputed area. Since then, the violence has abated. Yet attacks continue to take place, often killing civilians.

The conflict in Syria started in the spring of 2011 with protests against the government of ruler Bashar al-Assad. The government used force against her. The supporters of the head of state now control about two-thirds of the country. A political solution to the conflict is not in sight. (saw/sda/dpa)