Russian air strikes 'kill more civilians than ISIS fighters'

Russian airstrikes killed more civilians than Islamist fighters over the last month of raids, a monitoring group has said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based group using a network of local activists, said Russian air strikes had killed 403 civilians including 97 children and 69 women. This was compared to 381 Islamists from a mixture of ISIS and rebel groups.

The activist group documented the deaths from 20 October to 20 November and said a total of 42,234 air strikes were carried out by regime's air force on top of the Russian strikes.

The figures follow report from the Daily Mail that Russian air force hit 472 ISIS targets over the weekend in 141 missions.

The jets hit numerous Syrian cities including the capital Damascus as well as Aleppo, Homs and Raqqa, the ISIS stronghold. Moscow's bombing campaign, which began in September has been stepped up in recent weeks since ISIS claimed responsibility for downing a Russian civilian plane flying over Egypt. All 224 people on board were killed, mainly Russians.

In the last week France has also intensified its bombing campaign against ISIS in Syria after the Paris terror attacks, again carried out by ISIS, killed 130 people.

News of the latest attacks came as Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Tehran, Iran for talks with supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani.

Earlier this week the UN passed a resolution to take "all necessary measures" measures to eradicate ISIS in Syria and Iraq. "All necessary measures" is usually UN code for the use of force which one presumes means further air strikes.

David Cameron will make the case for Britain to join the military action against ISIS in Syria to MPs in the House of Commons on Thursday. A vote is expected next week and his chances of convincing MPs to support his proposal is greatly increased

related articles
Obama: Assad must go to end war in Syria
Obama: Assad must go to end war in Syria

Obama: Assad must go to end war in Syria

33 ISIS fighters killed as militant families flee Raqqa

33 ISIS fighters killed as militant families flee Raqqa

UN says world must come together to combat ISIS and other extremists
UN says world must come together to combat ISIS and other extremists

UN says world must come together to combat ISIS and other extremists

UN Chief says Russia and US must unite to defeat ISIS
UN Chief says Russia and US must unite to defeat ISIS

UN Chief says Russia and US must unite to defeat ISIS

ISIS loses two key Syrian towns to government forces
ISIS loses two key Syrian towns to government forces

ISIS loses two key Syrian towns to government forces

Russian warplane shot down by Turkish jets
Russian warplane shot down by Turkish jets

Russian warplane shot down by Turkish jets

News
Shine, Jesus, Shine remix launched for Christmas evangelism campaign
Shine, Jesus, Shine remix launched for Christmas evangelism campaign

The project was divinely inspired, says the organiser

Sudanese human rights activist assaulted in Newcastle
Sudanese human rights activist assaulted in Newcastle

The assault happened outside Newcastle City Hall, said Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Gaza's Christians praying for a peaceful Christmas
Gaza's Christians praying for a peaceful Christmas

Conditions remain tough for Gaza's Christians despite the ceasefire.

Churches across the UK are getting into the Christmas spirit
Churches across the UK are getting into the Christmas spirit

Cathedrals and churches across the UK are embracing Advent with a flurry of festive markets, carol services and community events.