Russian Federation accused of using cluster bombs in Syria

The Russian authorities have claimed that their armed forces are only striking “terrorist” targets.

Russia, which started its bombing marketing crusade September 30 in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against Islamic State & different militant groups, has repeatedly rejected allegations in that innocent civilians have been killed or injured. Witnesses described how within seconds the bustling Sunday market turned to a scene of carnage.

Turkey has stepped up its criticism of Russia’s airstrikes in Syria in the wake of deadly strikes in the northwest city of Idlib.

Since a Russian fighter jet was shot down by the Turkish air force on 24 November, Russia’s Ministry of Defence has released even less information about its campaign in Syria than it did before then. Attacks included one on a crowded market in Ariha, in Idlib province, with a death toll of 49 civilians, and another on a residential building in Al Ghantu, in Homs province, in which 32 children and minors and 11 women were reported dead. He said, however, that Russian Federation was less concerned about collateral damage in Syria.

Amnesty officials say they interviewed survivors of the attacks and reviewed photos and videos of the immediate aftermath.

The chair of Russia’s Defence and Security Committee, Viktor Ozerov, denied any civilian deaths and said Moscow had nothing to hide from the worldwide community regarding its role in Syria. Each cluster munitions bomb scatters dozens of bomblets over an area the size of a football field that when dropped in civilian areas violate global law.

Nearly immediately after Russian Federation launched its aggressive airstrike campaign in Syria on September 30, activists and moderate Syrian opposition accused Moscow of targeting civilians – at times killing dozens at once.

Western nations have previously faulted Russian Federation primarily for attacking “non-ISIS targets”, including al-Qaeda’s holding in Idlib Province.

On Monday, when asked if Russian Federation was using cluster bombs in Syria, Peskov said it was “conducting its operation in strict conformity with principles and norms of the worldwide law”.

President Vladimir Putin said in October that reports of alleged civilian casualties had emerged before the first air strikes were even carried out. Populated areas in which there is no trace of military targets have been attacked.

The group said the Russian attacks may have purposely targeted civilian residential areas and also medical facilities and used cluster bombs and so-called “dumb” bombs, which are less accurate.

The Syrian conflict has killed more than 250,000 people and forced millions to flee their homes since it broke out in March 2011.