At least two civilians have been&nbsp;killed in Russian air strikes on an abandoned water pumping station in Syria's rebel-held northwest.

As per&nbsp;an AFP report, late on Tuesday, the two strikes&nbsp;hit at the facility near Ain Shib, west of the city of Idlib, where displaced Syrians had been living. This comes&nbsp;amid a recent increase in attacks by the Syrian government's ally, Moscow.

Other late-night air strikes reportedly targeted the town of Ariha, located south of Idlib city in Syria.&nbsp;

<h2>Casualties</h2>

Quoting first responders, AFP reports that at least&nbsp;two civilians had been killed. Several inhabitants&nbsp;of the building remain unaccounted for.

As per the monitoring&nbsp;group,&nbsp;the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the strikes near Ain Shib had targeted "military bases belonging to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)".

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-strikes-on-syria-claim-lives-of-three-civilians-622719" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-strikes-on-syria-claim-lives-of-three-civilians-622719&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiy8YSgwfGAAxXyb2wGHWf-DEYQFnoECAIQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ksyTLiOquO2bU4HcG841L" dir="ltr" href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-strikes-on-syria-claim-lives-of-three-civilians-622719&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiy8YSgwfGAAxXyb2wGHWf-DEYQFnoECAIQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ksyTLiOquO2bU4HcG841L" target="_blank">Russian strikes&nbsp;on&nbsp;Syria&nbsp;claim lives of three civilians</a>

Just hours before the Ariha strikes, Russian air attacks targeted a rebel base to the north of Idlib city killing three, and injuring seven HTS members. Five civilians were also wounded in the strike, reports UK-based monitoring group.

HTS is a&nbsp;jihadist group that controls the bastion. The group routinely&nbsp;carries out deadly attacks on soldiers and pro-government forces. In recent days,&nbsp;Russian forces have repeatedly targeted the Idlib area. Some of Moscow's previous strikes also resulted in some civilian casualties.

On Monday, Russian air strikes on the periphery of Idlib City&nbsp;resulted in the death&nbsp;of 13 HTS fighters and while several others were reportedly injured.

Earlier on August 5, a Russian air strike&nbsp;directed at a former HTS&nbsp;base that the militant group had vacated a few weeks prior killed three civilians&nbsp;— members of the&nbsp;same family on the outskirts of Idlib.&nbsp;

Another strike in the Idlib province,&nbsp;on June 25, claimed the lives of at least 13 individuals, including nine civilians.

As per the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Russian strikes&nbsp;have wounded around 30 civilians in the Idlib province.&nbsp;Among the casualties of these air strikes, was a member of the Turkistan Islamic Party, an organisation primarily composed of Uyghur fighters, reports AFP.

<h2>Moscow intervention</h2>

The strikes are part of Russia's intervention in Syria's ongoing civil conflict. Since 2015, Moscow has aided the Syrian government's efforts to regain control over territories that were previously lost to rebel forces during the nation's 12-year civil conflict.

HTS group, which formerly had linkages to Al-Qaeda, holds control over significant areas within Idlib province, along with portions of adjacent Latakia, Hama, and Aleppo provinces.

(With inputs from agencies)

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At least two civilians have been killed in Russian air strikes on an abandoned water pumping station in Syria's rebel-held northwest. As per an AFP report, late on Tuesday, the two strikes hit at the facility near Ain Shib, west of the city of Idlib, where displaced Syrians had been living.

At least two civilians have been killed in Russian air strikes on an abandoned water pumping station in Syria's rebel-held northwest. As per an AFP report, late on Tuesday, the two strikes hit at the facility near Ain Shib, west of the city of Idlib, where displaced Syrians had been living. This comes amid a recent increase in attacks by the Syrian government's ally, Moscow. Other late-night air strikes reportedly targeted the town of Ariha, located south of Idlib city in Syria. Casualties Quoting first responders, AFP reports that at least two civilians had been killed. Several inhabitants of the building remain unaccounted for. As per the monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the strikes near Ain Shib had targeted "military bases belonging to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)". Also read | Russian strikes on Syria claim lives of three civilians Just hours before the Ariha strikes, Russian air attacks targeted a rebel base to the north of Idlib city killing three, and injuring seven HTS members. Five civilians were also wounded in the strike, reports UK-based monitoring group. HTS is a jihadist group that controls the bastion. The group routinely carries out deadly attacks on soldiers and pro-government forces. In recent days, Russian forces have repeatedly targeted the Idlib area. Some of Moscow's previous strikes also resulted in some civilian casualties. On Monday, Russian air strikes on the periphery of Idlib City resulted in the death of 13 HTS fighters and while several others were reportedly injured. Earlier on August 5, a Russian air strike directed at a former HTS base that the militant group had vacated a few weeks prior killed three civilians — members of the same family on the outskirts of Idlib. Another strike in the Idlib province, on June 25, claimed the lives of at least 13 individuals, including nine civilians. As per the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Russian strikes have wounded around 30 civilians in the Idlib province. Among the casualties of these air strikes, was a member of the Turkistan Islamic Party, an organisation primarily composed of Uyghur fighters, reports AFP. Moscow intervention The strikes are part of Russia's intervention in Syria's ongoing civil conflict. Since 2015, Moscow has aided the Syrian government's efforts to regain control over territories that were previously lost to rebel forces during the nation's 12-year civil conflict. HTS group, which formerly had linkages to Al-Qaeda, holds control over significant areas within Idlib province, along with portions of adjacent Latakia, Hama, and Aleppo provinces. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Two civilians killed in Russian air strikes on water station in Syria's rebel-held northwest

Air strikes by Syrian regime ally Russia have killed 10 civilians including five children in a northwestern jihadist bastion, a monitor said Monday, hours after Moscow announced a ceasefire there.

Clashes between regime forces and jihadists raged Monday on the edge of the region held by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, following the deadly air raids overnight, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The Idlib region controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is supposed to be protected from a government offensive by a September buffer zone deal, but regime and Russian bombardment has increased there since late April.

The Observatory said Russian air strikes overnight killed five children, four women, and one man in the town of Kafranbel in Idlib province.

The air strikes hit near a hospital in the town, knocking it out of service, the Britain-based monitor said.

An AFP correspondent saw five homes on the edges on the town that were destroyed or damaged after the strikes.

Survivors picked through the debris to save the belongings they could, the reporter said, while a young man covered in dust from head to toe leant against a wall, shell-shocked after his father was killed.

Umm Wasel narrowly missed the air strike on her home after relatives invited her over to break her daily fast of the Islamic month of Ramadan with them.

"I came back at night to find my home devastated," said the 72-year-old, dressed in a long red robe and a black scarf covering her hair.

People "had thought I was under the rubble", she said.

The Observatory said six other civilians also died in bombardment by regime forces in other parts of the Idlib region on Sunday.

The jihadist stronghold includes most of Idlib province as well as parts of neighbouring Aleppo, Hama and Latakia provinces.

Fighting raged in the north of Hama province between loyalists and jihadists from early Monday, the Observatory said, after relative respite in bombardment over the past three days.

Russian aeroplanes pounded the south of Idlib province, while government aircraft targeted the north of Hama province with machine guns, missiles, and crude barrel bombs, the monitoring group added.

The deadly Russian air strikes come after Russia on Sunday said Syrian armed forces had "unilaterally ceased fire in the Idlib de-escalation zone" from May 18 at midnight, but that fire of loyalists had continued.

Russia and rebel ally Turkey inked a buffer zone deal to protect the Idlib region of some three million people in September, but regime fire has increased there since HTS took control in January.&nbsp;

Syria's war has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions inside Syria and abroad since starting in March 2011 with a crackdown on anti-government protests.

Air strikes by Syrian regime ally Russia have killed 10 civilians including five children in a northwestern jihadist bastion, a monitor said Monday, hours after Moscow announced a ceasefire there.

Air strikes by Syrian regime ally Russia have killed 10 civilians including five children in a northwestern jihadist bastion, a monitor said Monday, hours after Moscow announced a ceasefire there. Clashes between regime forces and jihadists raged Monday on the edge of the region held by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, following the deadly air raids overnight, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Idlib region controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is supposed to be protected from a government offensive by a September buffer zone deal, but regime and Russian bombardment has increased there since late April. The Observatory said Russian air strikes overnight killed five children, four women, and one man in the town of Kafranbel in Idlib province. The air strikes hit near a hospital in the town, knocking it out of service, the Britain-based monitor said. An AFP correspondent saw five homes on the edges on the town that were destroyed or damaged after the strikes. Survivors picked through the debris to save the belongings they could, the reporter said, while a young man covered in dust from head to toe leant against a wall, shell-shocked after his father was killed. Umm Wasel narrowly missed the air strike on her home after relatives invited her over to break her daily fast of the Islamic month of Ramadan with them. "I came back at night to find my home devastated," said the 72-year-old, dressed in a long red robe and a black scarf covering her hair. People "had thought I was under the rubble", she said. The Observatory said six other civilians also died in bombardment by regime forces in other parts of the Idlib region on Sunday. The jihadist stronghold includes most of Idlib province as well as parts of neighbouring Aleppo, Hama and Latakia provinces. Fighting raged in the north of Hama province between loyalists and jihadists from early Monday, the Observatory said, after relative respite in bombardment over the past three days. Russian aeroplanes pounded the south of Idlib province, while government aircraft targeted the north of Hama province with machine guns, missiles, and crude barrel bombs, the monitoring group added. The deadly Russian air strikes come after Russia on Sunday said Syrian armed forces had "unilaterally ceased fire in the Idlib de-escalation zone" from May 18 at midnight, but that fire of loyalists had continued. Russia and rebel ally Turkey inked a buffer zone deal to protect the Idlib region of some three million people in September, but regime fire has increased there since HTS took control in January. Syria's war has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions inside Syria and abroad since starting in March 2011 with a crackdown on anti-government protests.

Russia air strikes kill 10 civilians in northwest Syria: Monitor

At least 11 civilians were killed and dozens more wounded on Saturday in air strikes on a central Syrian village that a monitor said were likely carried out by Russia.

&quot;The raids targeted a livestock market in the village of Oqayrabat, held by the Islamic State group in Hama province,&quot; said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

&quot;They are probably Russian air strikes,&quot; he said, adding that 45 people were also wounded.

Oqayrabat lies northwest of Palmyra, the ancient desert city that was recaptured by Russian-backed government forces from IS on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The road between the two had been often used by jihadists to travel between the provinces of Hama and Homs, where Palmyra lies.&nbsp;

Abdel Rahman said the raids on the village were part of &quot;new military operations by the Syrian regime and its Russian ally targeting jihadist positions in Hama province&quot;.

Syrian and Russian warplanes on Saturday were heavily bombing IS jihadists north and east of Palmyra, which has changed hands several times in Syria`s nearly six-year war.

IS overran the city for the second time on December 11.

A day later, 53 civilians were killed in a barrage of raids on Oqayrabat and other nearby villages, according to the Observatory.&nbsp; 
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also raised fears at the time that chemical weapons may have been used in air strikes on Oqayrabat.&nbsp;

The Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria for its information, says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used.

Tens of thousands of Syrian civilians have fled ferocious fighting between Russian-backed regime forces and Islamic State group jihadists over the past week in the country&#39;s ravaged north.

Supported by Russian air power and artillery, Syrian government forces have waged a fierce offensive against IS, seizing around 90 villages since mid-January.

(AFP)

Tens of thousands of Syrian civilians have fled fighting between Russian-backed regime forces and IS

At least 11 civilians were killed and dozens more wounded on Saturday in air strikes on a central Syrian village that a monitor said were likely carried out by Russia. "The raids targeted a livestock market in the village of Oqayrabat, held by the Islamic State group in Hama province," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "They are probably Russian air strikes," he said, adding that 45 people were also wounded. Oqayrabat lies northwest of Palmyra, the ancient desert city that was recaptured by Russian-backed government forces from IS on Wednesday. The road between the two had been often used by jihadists to travel between the provinces of Hama and Homs, where Palmyra lies. Abdel Rahman said the raids on the village were part of "new military operations by the Syrian regime and its Russian ally targeting jihadist positions in Hama province". Syrian and Russian warplanes on Saturday were heavily bombing IS jihadists north and east of Palmyra, which has changed hands several times in Syria`s nearly six-year war. IS overran the city for the second time on December 11. A day later, 53 civilians were killed in a barrage of raids on Oqayrabat and other nearby villages, according to the Observatory. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also raised fears at the time that chemical weapons may have been used in air strikes on Oqayrabat. The Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria for its information, says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used. Tens of thousands of Syrian civilians have fled ferocious fighting between Russian-backed regime forces and Islamic State group jihadists over the past week in the country's ravaged north. Supported by Russian air power and artillery, Syrian government forces have waged a fierce offensive against IS, seizing around 90 villages since mid-January. (AFP)

At least 11 civilians killed in Russia-backed air strikes in Syria

Iran said on Monday that Russia has stopped using an Iranian air base for strikes in Syria, a week after Moscow announced that its fighter-bombers had flown from a base in Iran to hit targets in Syria. 
 
&quot;Russia has no base in Iran and is not stationed here. They did this (operation) and it is finished for now,&quot; Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. 
 
Long-range Russian Tupolev-22M3 bombers and Sukhoi-34 fighter-bombers used Nojeh air base, near the city of Hamedan, in north-west Iran to launch the air strikes last week, in a move which underscored Moscow&#39;s increasingly close ties with Tehran. 
 
But the deployment, the first time a foreign power has used an Iranian base since World War Two, triggered criticism from some Iranian parliamentarians who said it breached the Islamic Republic&#39;s constitution. 
 
Iranian defence minister Hossein Dehghan dismissed that criticism on Sunday, but also chided Moscow for publicising the move, describing it as showing off and a &quot;betrayal of trust&quot;. 
 
&quot;We have not given any military base to the Russians and they are not here to stay,&quot; Dehghan was quoted as saying by the Fars news agency. 
 
He said there has been &quot;no written agreement&quot; between the two countries and the &quot;operational cooperation&quot; was temporary and limited to refuelling. 
 
(Reuters)

This is the first time a foreign power has used an Iranian base since World War II

Iran said on Monday that Russia has stopped using an Iranian air base for strikes in Syria, a week after Moscow announced that its fighter-bombers had flown from a base in Iran to hit targets in Syria. "Russia has no base in Iran and is not stationed here. They did this (operation) and it is finished for now," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. Long-range Russian Tupolev-22M3 bombers and Sukhoi-34 fighter-bombers used Nojeh air base, near the city of Hamedan, in north-west Iran to launch the air strikes last week, in a move which underscored Moscow's increasingly close ties with Tehran. But the deployment, the first time a foreign power has used an Iranian base since World War Two, triggered criticism from some Iranian parliamentarians who said it breached the Islamic Republic's constitution. Iranian defence minister Hossein Dehghan dismissed that criticism on Sunday, but also chided Moscow for publicising the move, describing it as showing off and a "betrayal of trust". "We have not given any military base to the Russians and they are not here to stay," Dehghan was quoted as saying by the Fars news agency. He said there has been "no written agreement" between the two countries and the "operational cooperation" was temporary and limited to refuelling. (Reuters)

Iran: Russian use of air base for Syria strikes over 'for now'