Dozens killed after Syrian war plane crashes in residential area

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was not immediately clear how numerous deaths in the northwestern town had resulted from the crash and how many were killed in the bombing run.

Ariha, in the northwestern Idlib province, was reportedly captured by opposition fighters and Islamic militants in May, after being a stronghold of the government forces.

The town, as well as much of the Idlib province, is now controlled by the al Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front and a number of other hardline Islamist militias.

Scores were also injured, according to the monitor and witnesses. Government forces have suffered setbacks in Idlib province since March, including the loss of the provincial capital of the same name.

An amateur video published on-line by activists showed several broken buildings, in addition to elements of the aircraft in that crashed.

Syria’s western flank, fringing both the Mediterranean coast and the Lebanese border, contains Syria’s major cities including Damascus and is seen as crucial for Assad’s hold on power. United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon said last week that at least 250,000 Syrians have been killed in the conflict so far. Activists said the Jaish al-Fateh downed the warplane with anti-aircraft missiles, adding that the fate of the pilot is still unknown.

Local civil defence workers raced to rescue anyone buried under the rubble.

The broader US rules of engagement, approved July 31, came after rebels fighting IS were attacked by Al-Nusra Front in northern Syria, a US defence official said.

The 72 hours of clashes killed at least 73 rebels and 42 regime forces, including Hezbollah fighters and members of the National Defense Forces militia allied with the government, he told AFP.