Children among dead in Russian strikes on Syria: monitor

BEIRUT: Two children were among at least seven civilians killed in air strikes carried out by Russian warplanes in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, a monitoring group said Friday, citing witnesses.

"Four civilians, including a child and a woman, were killed in raids conducted by Russian military aircraft," said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Read: Russia carries out first air strikes in Syria

The air strikes hit the district of Jabal al Zawiya, in an area under the control of al Qaeda's affiliate in Syria and other rebel groups, said the Britain-based monitor.

"Three other civilians, including a girl and a woman, were killed in bombing by these planes of the village of Habeet," in the same province that borders Turkey, said the group, which relies on a network of sources on the ground for its information.

Russian air strikes on Syria have killed 28 people since they were launched on Wednesday, according to the Observatory.

Syria's main opposition group accused Moscow of killing 36 civilians in the central province of Homs on Wednesday, but the Kremlin has denied any civilians were among the dead.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has hit back at the allegations, describing them as "information warfare".

Read: Western fears that air strikes don't target IS 'unfounded': Russia

Moscow says it is targeting the Islamic State (IS) group, but Washington and its allies suspect its military intervention is aimed at keeping in power President Bashar al Assad under the guise of fighting "terrorism".

IS is not known to be operational in the areas targeted by Russia on Thursday.