" that have killed many civilians and leveled much of the city 's civilian infrastructure . He said the goal is " to starve out and to drive out the opposition and civilians who 've held on there for so long . " Earlier this month , the United States suspended talks with Russia over the Syrian war and said that Moscow was committing war crimes by engaging in indiscriminate bombing of civilians in Aleppo .
“ You can quote them on that , ” he said , speaking for the U.N. Less than two weeks after the news conference , Saudi - coalition jets killed more than 100 civilians in a market in northwest Yemen , according to U.N. investigators . “ It would seem the coalition is responsible for twice as many civilian casualties as all other forces put together , virtually all as a result of airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattle, ” said U.N. human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein , in the aftermath of that attack . In September , as the civilian toll in Yemen continued mounting , Zeid had called for an independent , international inquiry into the conflict . At the Human Rights Council in Geneva , Dutch representatives introduced a resolution that would have created such a body , only to see their support melt away in the face of intense pressure from the Saudis and their allies .
" If you were president , what would you do about Syria and the humanitarian crisis in Aleppo ? " She then recalled a recent statement from Trump 's running mate , Indiana Gov. Mike Pence , who said , " Provocations by Russia need to be met with American strength and that if Russia continues to be involved in airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattlealong with the Syrian government forces of Assad , the United States of America should be prepared to use military force to strike the military targets of the Assad regime . " Trump said he disagreed with Pence on this issue . " He and I have n't spoken and I disagree , " Trump said .
A man inspects the damage after airstrikes by pro - Syrian government forces in the rebel held al - Sakhour neighbourhood of Aleppo , Syria February 5 , 2016 . REUTERS / Abdalrhman Ismail A boy gestures as others inspect the damage after airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattleby pro - Syrian government forces in the rebel held al - Sakhour neighbourhood of Aleppo , Syria February 5 , 2016 . REUTERS / Abdalrhman Ismail People inspect the damage after airstrikes by pro - Syrian government forces in the rebel held al - Sakhour neighbourhood of Aleppo , Syria February 5 , 2016 .
Russia has also blamed the United States for failing to separate the rebel groups it supports from an extremist group that until recently was officially linked to Al Qaeda . Abu Mohammad al - Jolani , the head of that militant group , formerly known as the Nusra Front , called on Sunni Muslim militants to unite in Syria , Al Jazeera reported . Mr. Jolani reached out to rebel groups as they have been given a fateful choice : sever any tactical alliance with his Qaeda - linked militants , now known as the Levant Conquest Front , and lose an effective ally — or potentially face joint airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattlefrom Russia and the United States under the deal they negotiated . In recent months , the Syrian opposition has accused the United States of effectively siding with Mr. Assad by teaming up with Russia and focusing only on hitting designated terrorist groups and not the government , whose warplanes have leveled rebel - held areas , hospitals and civilian homes in indiscriminate strikes .
The U.S. said Russia was responsible for the airstrike , while Moscow vehemently denied any involvement . The Russian Defense Ministry flatly rejected suggestions that its forces were behind the attack on the convoy . " Russian warplanes did not plan and did not deliver any airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrikein the area of Urum al - Kubra , " a spokesman told NBC News via email , referring to the town near Aleppo where the convoy was hit . " They were not in the area at all . " Lt . Gen. Igor Konashenkov added that a U.S.
Over the past six months it 's gotten worse , according to Airwars . “ Between December and May , in both Iraq and Syria , there was a marked increase in the number of alleged casualty incidents and civilian death attributed to coalition actions , ” it says . In Iraq , the group reports that between 297 and 518 civilians were killed by coalition airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattlein this time . In Syria , between 197 and 274 civilians were killed , “ a 38 percent increase in likely civilian deaths above the previous six months . ” The U.S. has admitted to killing just 20 civilians .
In my recent article entitled “ Russia Is Preparing For A Nuclear War With The United States “ , I included a quote from a major Russian news source that demonstrates what the Russians are thinking at this point . The Russians recently deployed additional S-300 and S-400 air defense systems to Syria , and they have warned that any strike against Syrian forces “ would put Russian personnel in danger ” … Russia ’s Defense Ministry has cautioned the US - led coalition of carrying out airstrikesconflict.attack.naon Syrian army positions , adding in Syria there are numerous S-300 and S-400 air defense systems up and running . Russia currently has S-400 and S-300 air - defense systems deployed to protect its troops stationed at the Tartus naval supply base and the Khmeimim airbase . The radius of the weapons reach may be “ a surprise ” to all unidentified flying objects , Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson General Igor Konashenkov said .
A woman walks through rubble after airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrikein the rebel - held Syrian town of Dael on Friday . ( Alaa Al - Faqir / Reuters ) Questions about how and when a Syrian truce will be implemented deepened skepticism that the cease - fire will work , as Russian and Syrian warplanes on Friday sustained their relentless bombardment of rebel - held territory in the country .
These are extremely capable systems that can track dozens of targets up to 400 kilometers ( 249 miles ) away but are vulnerable in that they ca n’t be easily dispersed and hidden . The United States has at its disposal stealth fighters and bombers – the F-22 and the B-2 – electronic - warfare EF-18Gs , large numbers of Predator and Reaper drones and special - forces teams all trained and equipped to swiftly locate , suppress and destroy missile batteries . A man cries over the body of his child after she was pulled out from the rubble of a building following airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattlein the rebel - held neighborhood of Al - Shaar in Aleppo , Syria , September 27 , 2016 . Karam Al - Masri , AFP A confrontation between a U.S.-led coalition and the Russia - Assad alliance would almost certainly be a one - sided affair with America and its allies losing at worst a handful of aircraft .
“ They are in such a defensive mode right now , it ’s sad , ” said Randa Slim , a scholar of post - conflict reconciliation at the Middle East Institute . “ They are more trying to spin the positive of their inaction than confront the true inaction . ” Obama issued his “ red line ” warning to Assad in 2012 , which was widely seen as a pledge that the U.S. would be ready to launch airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestriketargeting the Syrian government . After it became clear that Assad had used sarin gas to kill hundreds of Syrians in 2013 , Obama openly debated such strikes . Ultimately , he backed off the idea , and his administration instead pursued the diplomatic route – working with Assad ’s ally , Russia — to try to purge Assad ’s stockpiles of chemical weapons .
( Renae Merle ) Justin Trudeau moved to ban discrimination against transgender people in Canada . ( Alan Freeman ) World leaders renewed calls for a Syrian cease - fire following a meeting in Vienna . Diplomats urged all parties to allow immediate humanitarian access to blockaded towns and warned rebels they “ might not be protected ” from future airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrikeif they violate an ongoing partial truce . ( Carol Morello ) The Senate advanced a $ 1.1 billion Zika funding bill , clearing a key procedural step while House Republicans introduced vastly different legislation of their own . ( Kelsey Snell ) South Carolina lawmakers passed a bill prohibiting abortion after 19 weeks , becoming the 17th state to pass the restrictive ban .
More than 35 square miles of jihadi land have been regained by the Moscow - backed anti - extremist coalition . Strategically vital Rabia was one of 28 towns which fell to the Syrian army , the Russian Defence Ministry said . The Kremlin claims almost 500 terrorist targets in Syria were hit by Russian airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrikeover the weekend , with 169 sorties flown between January 22 - 24 . Airstrikes against ISIS Sat , February 27 , 2016 British , French , Russian and US forces launch air strikes around the world . Play slideshow 1 of 63 Russian army carried out an airstrike in Damascus
In Syria , the United States military efforts have proved modestly successful in degrading the Islamic State . A combination of American and allied airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattle, as well as military support for fighters on the ground , has caused the group , also known as ISIS or ISIL , to lose territory . On Friday , American - backed Kurdish - led forces seized the eastern Syrian city of Shadadi , important for its nearby oil and gas fields . Photo
Like Russia they did n’t bomb the hospital in Aleppo , but they ’re part of a coalition with the Syrian government that is doing that . “ Maybe we should use the format of an open letter to the president of China saying , as the only remaining permanent member of the security council who is currently not bombing anyone , could you please remind your colleagues ? ” In February , an MSF report identified 94 airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrikeand shelling attacks on hospitals across Syria . In February last year , the NGO Physicians for Human Rights said it had documented 224 attacks on 175 health facilities since the start of the conflict , and 599 medical personnel had been killed . Why is Britain still selling Saudi Arabia arms to use in Yemen ?
The U.S. military says it has halted airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattleover Syria after the Russian Defense Ministry accused the U.S.-led coalition of carrying out a strike that hit Syrian government soldiers , killing 62 and injuring 100 . U.S. Central Command acknowledged the accusations in a statement it released this afternoon , but did not squarely claim responsibility for the reported deaths and injuries . " Earlier today Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike south of Dayr Az Zawr , Syria .
General Ali Abdullah Ayyoub , Assad ’s chief of general staff , visited the frontlines near Aleppo on Monday to inspect the troops ’ preparations . At least 250,000 people have been killed across Syria during the five - year conflict , with some monitoring groups claiming the death toll may be double that . UN investigators yesterday announced that more than 700 doctors and medical workers had been killed during the conflict , many of them in airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrike. “ As civilian casualties mount , the number of medical facilities and staff decreases , limiting access to medical care even further , ” Paulo Pinheiro , head of a commission of inquiry into the Syrian conflict , told the UN Human Rights Council . “ With each attack , terrorised survivors are left more vulnerable .
Seconds later they freed him , bloodied but still breathing . In another they dug frantically for a baby , but it was too late when they got to the child . CBS News ca n't independently verify the videos , but they appear to show the Syrian regime 's new offensive in Aleppo Province , which is backed by Russian airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrike. Hassan Haj Ali is a rebel commander who told us his men have received weapons from the U.S. and are trying to fight off the assault . " When the regime kills women and children , " he said , " they 're telling Syrians to get out of rebel - held areas . "
None will perform combat missions . President Obama has been very clear that American combat troops are not going to be fighting in Iraq again . ” That August , when Obama announced plans to start carrying out targeted airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattleagainst ISIS positions in Iraq , he emphasized that “ as commander - in - chief , I will not allow the United States to be dragged into fighting another war in Iraq . ” “ And so even as we support Iraqis as they take the fight to these terrorists , American combat troops will not be returning to fight in Iraq , because there ’s no American military solution to the larger crisis in Iraq , ” he said . When in September he announced the launch of a coalition against ISIS , coupled with an additional U.S. troop deployment , Obama again stressed U.S. combat troops would not be “ fighting on foreign soil . ”
" Not just the militants . Any civil servant , from the courts to the schools , they cut their salary by 50 percent , " said a Raqqa activist now living in the Turkish city of Gaziantep , who remains in close contact with his native city . But that apparently was n't enough close the gap for a group that needs money to replace weapons lost in airstrikesconflict.attack.naand battles , and pays its fighters first and foremost . Those two expenses account for two - thirds of its budget , according to an estimate by Aymenn Jawad al - Tamimi , a researcher with the Middle East Forum who sources Islamic State documents , Within the last two weeks , the extremist group started accepting only dollars for " tax " payments , water and electric bills , according to the Raqqa activist , who asked to be identified by his nom de guerre Abu Ahmad for his safety .
“ There are no craters , while the vehicles have their chassis intact and they have not been severely damaged , which would have been the case from an airstrike , ” Konashenkov said . On Tuesday , the UN also retreated from its claims that the convoy was hit by military planes . " We are not in a position to determine whether these were in fact airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattle. We are in a position to say that the convoy was attacked , " UN humanitarian spokesman Jens Laerke said .
While holding senior positions throughout his career , Badreddine was most known for his role in leading Hezbollah ’s large contingent in Syria , which it sent to defend the interest of the Assad regime as his grip on power weakened in 2012 . Hezbollah has since lost an estimated 900 members in fighting across Syria , where along with Iran , it has taken the lead in directing numerous battles . Israel has refused to comment on airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattleit has previously launched inside Syria . However , unnamed officials have said the strikes had targeted anti - aircraft systems that were allegedly being transferred to Hezbollah . It had also targeted a Hezbollah leader , Samir Kuntar , who had been jailed inside Israel for more than 30 years until his release in 2008 .
In exchange for using its leverage with Assad to ground his air force and allow aid to flow , the United States said it would work to separate U.S.-backed opposition groups from terrorist forces with which they have become increasingly intertwined . Instead , after just a few days of a fitful truce , both Syria and Russia stepped up their bombing attacks in Aleppo and elsewhere in the country , including the destruction of an aid convoy . Russia , while denying the convoy attack , has justified its airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattleby saying that the cease - fire — along with U.S. failure to disengage the opposition from the Front for the Conquest of Syria , the al - Qaeda group formerly known as Jabhat al - Nusra — allowed the terrorists to rearm and expand their territory . Russia ’s version of the sequence of events mandated by the deal is “ explicitly not true , ” a senior administration official said . “ Separation was not step one , ” but was supposed to occur after seven days without major violence .
U.N. chief Ban Ki - moon described the conditions in eastern , rebel - held Aleppo as worse than a “ slaughterhouse ” at a Security Council meeting . “ Those using ever more destructive weapons know exactly what they are doing - they know they are committing war crimes , ” Ban said , without naming any countries . Syria ’s government is waging a major offensive in Aleppo and both Syria and Russia are carrying out airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrikeon the city. Doctors Without Borders , which supported both of the hospitals damaged Wednesday , said a “ brutal and relentless onslaught from air and land ” has left eastern Aleppo with just seven surgical doctors to treat a population of some 250,000 . The head of the organization , also known by its French acronym MSF , said people are being taken off life support because of a “ multitude ” of wounded , and doctors in eastern Aleppo are left to “ await their own deaths . ”
A source at the Department for International Development told The Sun : “ At around 10:45am on Wednesday at least seven airstrikes hit a complex of three UK - funded schools . AP : Associated Press 13 Part of the airstrike that killed 22 children in the Syrian village of Hass Getty Images 13 Syrian children running for cover in the aftermath of the airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattleGetty Images 13 Many of the dead and injured were children Getty Images 13 There are fears the death toll will rise as more victims were left in a critical condition
He also greeted U.S. and NATO troops to thank them for their service . Nicholson 's predecessor , Gen. John Campbell , suggested as he was leaving the post that the United States may have to leave a larger presence to train and assist Afghan forces , as well as dial up pressure on the Taliban with airstrikes . Current rules of engagement only allow U.S. commanders to call in airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestriketo protect NATO troops and Afghan forces in imminent danger of being overrun by the Taliban . They can target al Qaeda and ISIS militants but can not conduct airstrikes against the Taliban unless they pose a direct threat to NATO or Afghan forces . Campbell told reporters that in order to drive the Taliban toward reconciliation , " They need to have more pressure put on them and one way to do that would be potentially striking them . "
READ MORE : US asks Russia not to target Al - Qaeda branch in Syria – Russian FM Lavrov These shelling and attacks , according to the Russian Ministry of Defense , became possible due to the fact that the terrorists ’ positions were not targeted for some time by Russian air forces at the request of the United States . According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov , Washington asked Russia not to target Al - Nusra Front precisely because the terrorist group is sharing territory with some “ moderate ” opposition groups that might also potentially be hit in airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattle.
A bomb is released from a Russian Su-34 strike fighter in Syria . ( Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP ) Russian airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattletargeted the base of U.S.-backed Syrian fighters near the Jordanian border earlier this week , according to U.S. defense officials , prompting the most aggressive response from the Pentagon since Russia began its air campaign over Syria last year . New images released Friday by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , a group that has monitored the conflict since its start , reportedly shows the aftermath of the strikes on the base at Al - Tanf , a small town near the borders of Iraq , Syria and Jordan . One of the pictures portrays what appears to be the tail section of a RBK-500 cluster munition , a type of bomb repeatedly seen being used by the Russian air force since the start of its mission in Syria .
Even a slaughterhouse is more humane , ” Ban told a UN Security Council meeting . In tweets Syrian military intensifies airstrikesconflict.attack.naon rebel positions in # Aleppo https://t.co/S2tBsTo3vk pic.twitter.com/cpNt4Xsevb — China Xinhua News ( @XHNews ) September 28 , 2016 “ If hospital falls & we get stuck under rubble , please no pictures . Do n't forget our dignity , ” Nurse in Aleppo https://t.co/UreXgizRxS pic.twitter.com/EOnvbhXYDw — Middle East Eye ( @MiddleEastEye ) September 28 , 2016
Ankara has given Russia the go - ahead to use its Incirlik air base for operations in Syria , though no official request from Moscow to use the strategic military facility has been made , Turkey ’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Saturday . The base , located some 100 kilometers from the Syrian border , is currently being used by the US - led coalition against the Islamic State to launch airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattleagainst the jihadist group in neighboring Iraq and Syria . “ Turkey opened Incirlik airbase to fight Daesh [ Islamic State ] terrorists . It is being used by the US and Qatar .
Mr. Clapper ’s colleagues go a step further in less public conversations . They argue that Mr. Putin has played his hand skillfully , stringing along Secretary of State John Kerry in a yearlong negotiation over cease - fires and political transitions in Syria , all the while bolstering their proxy , President Bashar al - Assad . Mr. Kerry ’s efforts in Syria all but collapsed this week in waves of Russian and Syrian government airstrikesconflict.attack.na. The deal in Ukraine is hanging on , but just barely : Russia conveniently ignores many of the commitments it signed and has denied involvement in the downing two years ago of a Malaysia Airlines jet flying over Ukraine that killed 298 people . The theft of voter rolls in Arizona and Illinois — and “ poking around ” in the networks of other states , as James B. Comey , the F.B.I.
In February , a cessation of hostilities negotiated between Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov fell apart within weeks , and efforts to reach a political settlement in the war - torn country have been on the verge of collapse . Syrian men evacuate a victim from the rubble of a building following an airstrike on the rebel - held northwestern city of Idlib on September 10 , 2016 . People search for victims at the scene of the airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrike. Skepticism over deal After five years , Syrians are weary of a war that has left more than 250,000 dead and forced nearly 5 million to flee the country .
More than 100 countries have signed a treaty to ban their use . Human Rights Watch , as well as many US and other officials , have accused Russia of using cluster bombs as it supports the Syrian regime . The regime -- backed by Russian air power -- has intensified its airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrikeon Aleppo in recent days and appears to be deliberately targeting hospitals . JUST WATCHED Syrian girl tweets from inside Aleppo Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Syrian girl tweets from inside Aleppo 02:48 Now there are only five hospitals left in the area , and they 're swamped with casualties .
" In all of the cases released today , assessments determined that although the strikes complied with the law of armed conflict and all appropriate precautions were taken , civilian casualties unfortunately did occur , " it said . The casualties occurred between Sept. 10 , 2015 , and Feb. 2 , 2016 , according to the U.S. military . A majority of the dead came from two families wiped out in the airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrike. The news comes a day after it was revealed that the U.S. has relaxed rules of engagement designed to reduce the risk of civilian casualties as part of its air war against the Islamic State group . According to USA Today , the Pentagon last fall began allowing lower - level commanders to call in airstrikes that threaten to kill innocents and attacks that entail " the probability of 10 civilian casualties are permitted , " the paper reported .
( CNN ) Regime airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattleon a school complex in northwestern Syria killed at least 35 people , including 20 children , the Syria Civil Defense volunteer rescue group said , in what could be one of the deadliest strikes yet on a school in the nation 's five - year war , according to the UN . The death toll is expected to rise as dozens of others were injured in the Wednesday attacks , said Majd Khalaf , a communications officer with the rescue group , also known as the White Helmets . Another rescuer told the activist - run SMART News Agency that around 50 children were leaving the front door when the strikes hit .
In east Aleppo , a Russian - declared " humanitarian pause " began Thursday , which Russia says will allow rebels and civilians to leave rebel - held sections of the city during daytime for three days . The Russian Defense Ministry unexpectedly announced the pause Tuesday after a weeks - long bombardment of the Syrian city . The airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrikeand the rising death toll received fierce criticism from Western powers . JUST WATCHED Ghostly new video shows Aleppo in ruins Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Ghostly new video shows Aleppo in ruins 01:06 There have been no airstrikes in the city since dawn Tuesday , Aleppo residents told CNN .
Over 60 civilians have been killed and at least 200 injured during three days of US - led coalition airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrikeon residential areas in Mosul , the Russian military reported . “ There were numerous attacks of the US - led coalition targeting residential areas , schools , and other civilian objects both in Mosul and in other parts of the Iraqi Nineveh Governorate , ” Gen. Sergey Rudskoy , head of Operations in the Russian General Staff , told journalists on Tuesday . “ We are closely monitoring the situation around Mosul .
The daily atrocities can not continue . ” She added : “ It is time the Syrian regime , and their Russian backers end this conflict . ” A source at the Department for International Development told The Sun : “ At around 10:45am on Wednesday at least seven airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattlehit a complex of three UK - funded schools . AP : Associated Press 13 Part of the airstrike that killed 22 children in the Syrian village of Hass Getty Images 13 Syrian children running for cover in the aftermath of the airstrikes
However , both Moscow and Tehran held out the possibility it might happen again . The potential of repeating this episode is part of what prompted the GOP senators to send the letter . “ We should be using all available tools to dissuade Russia from continuing its airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrikein Syria that are clearly not in our interest , ” the senators wrote . Beyond that , letter author Barrasso blames Obama for “ telegraphing weakness ” to “ macho men leaders around the world ” like Russian President Vladimir Putin who believe they can take actions detrimental to U.S. interests without ramifications . “ Russia has played a very weak hand extremely well , and I think President Obama has played a very strong hand very poorly , ” Barrasso said .
According to a daily strike list provided by the coalition 's Combined Joint Task Force , two strikes " near al Hasakah " carried out in the 24-hour period that included the early hours of Monday morning hit " two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building . " In a release sent a day later , on Wednesday , the coalition reported " near al Hasakah , four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles , four ISIL buildings , and an ISIL fighting position . " On Wednesday , an American spokesperson for the coalition told VICE News that it was " aware of reports of civilian casualties and can confirm the Coalition conducted airstrikesconflict.attack.nain al Hasakah province recently . " " If the information supporting the allegation is determined to be credible , we will then determine the next appropriate step , " said the spokesperson , who responded from the coalition 's public affairs press desk email and did not offer their name . The coalition did not say who had carried out the raids , though American pilots are responsible for the vast majority of strikes in Syria .
Over 60 civilians have been killed and at least 200 injured during three days of US - led coalition airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattleon residential areas in Mosul , the Russian military reported . “ There were numerous attacks of the US - led coalition targeting residential areas , schools , and other civilian objects both in Mosul and in other parts of the Iraqi Nineveh Governorate , ” Gen. Sergey Rudskoy , head of Operations in the Russian General Staff , told journalists on Tuesday . “ We are closely monitoring the situation around Mosul .
Israel will be able to evade the S-300 when it receives its first fifth - generation F-35s in December 2016 but the F-35 can not carry the GBU-28 bunker buster . Bunker busters for the F-35 are under development but are many years away from deployment . I believe these factors indicate Iranian leaders are contemplating violating or terminating the JCPOA in the short to medium term by resuming uranium enrichment at Fordow and want to prevent Israel from responding with airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrikeand discourage the United States from doing so . When would Iran do this ? Certainly not before Barack Obama leaves office because Tehran is using the Obama administration ’s desperation to protect the president ’s legacy nuclear deal to exact more concession from the United States .
Dr Abdul Aziz ( pictured flanked by colleagues ) , a surgeon working in Syria , said his patients and colleagues are being deliberately targeted by Russian air strikes , even after the internationally brokered ceasefire MI6 and British police are investigating alleged attacks on civilians by Russian war planes in Syria . Flames are pictured rising after the Russian army carried out airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrikeon two hospitals in Aleppo , Syria , last December In his first interview since the attack , Dr Aziz said : ‘ It was horrific , terrifying . People were screaming and crying , the hospital was ablaze and the place filled with dense smoke and nobody could see .
Daily airstrikes by America and its allies throughout July has since pushed that number above 50,000 , according to Airwars , a watchdog group that monitors the U.S.-led air campaign against ISIS . That figure does not include airstrike operations conducted by Russia , which began a bombing campaign of its own against in the Islamic State in Syria last year . The relentless airstrikesconflict.attack.naby the coalition , now in their 24th month , reflect the intensity of air campaign against ISIS , said Chris Woods , the director of Airwars , which is based in the United Kingdom . By comparison , U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan have dropped just over 16,000 bombs in the last six years , military data shows . The liberal use of air power by America and its allies — which have included France , Canada and 11 other countries since the bombing raids began in August 2014—has been instrumental in routing the Sunni extremists , analysts and military officials say .
“ Trump channels Obama policy on Syria . ISIS the threat , Russia and Iran part of the solution , ” the conservative foreign policy theorist Walter Russell Mead tweeted during the debate . The deal , which required that Assad halt airstrikesconflict.attack.airstrikemissilestrikeagainst civilian areas in places like Aleppo , quickly collapsed and the U.S. and Russia have cut off formal dialogue about Syria . Authors :
Aleppo , Syria 's largest city before the war when it had more than 2 million people , has been divided for years into rebel and government sectors and the city . In recent weeks , government forces backed by Russian air strikes have intensified their military campaign against the city 's rebel - held areas . The hospital attacks come as airstrikesconflict.attack.naby the United States and France inside Syria have killed as many as 140 civilians in a northwestern city and on its outskirts over the past couple of days . The Syrian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that French warplanes had targeted the village of Tukhan al - Kubra in the northern suburb of the city of Manbij in the Aleppo Province , killing 120 civilians . Tens of other civilians remain unaccounted for following the attack , the ministry added .
UK Ambassador gives damning speech to UN after Russia 's security council veto over Syria On Saturday , Russia vetoed the resolution , which called for an end to all air strikes except those against Isis and al - Qaeda affiliated terrorists - the fifth time the country has used its veto to block UN action in the almost six - year - long civil war . Russia 's own rival measure on a truce which called for a ceasefire but did not mention airstrikesconflict.attack.selfdirectedbattlewas also rejected . France has previously appealed to Russia to save rebel - held east Aleppo from total destruction . The besiged area , home to 250,000 people , has been subjected to unprecedented Russian - backed shelling by President Bashar al - Assad 's forces since the breakdown of a US - Russian brokered ceasefire last month .