A string of Syrian regime air strikes on the Islamic State group's self-proclaimed capital Raqa on Tuesday killed at least 63 people, more than half of them civilians, a monitor said.
The air strikes were the deadliest by President Bashar al-Assad's air force against Raqa since the Sunni extremist IS seized control of the city last year.
"Among the 63 killed were at least 36 civilians," said Rami Abdel Rahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
"There were also 20 unidentified victims who could be civilians or jihadists, as well as the disfigured remains of at least seven other people," he said.
The director of the Britain-based monitoring group said previously that "most of the casualties were caused by two consecutive air strikes" on Raqa's main industrial zone.
"The first strike came, residents rushed to rescue the wounded, and then the second raid took place," Abdel Rahman, whose group relies on a network of sources on the ground in Syria for its information, told AFP.
Amateur video footage distributed by activists in Raqa showed several bloodied bodies laid out on a street near an apparent bombing site, as an ambulance rushed to the scene.
Aid workers in red overalls bearing the Red Crescent symbol could be seen placing the corpses into white body bags.
Activists from the city meanwhile denounced the raids as a "massacre".
- Regime strikes 'most feared' -
The Islamic State organisation emerged in Syria's war in spring 2013.
It took over Raqa, the only provincial capital to fall from government control since the outbreak of a 2011 revolt, and turned it into its bastion.
Most of the city's civil society activists, as well as rebel fighters who expelled Assad's troops, have either been killed, kidnapped or forced to flee for other parts of Syria or neighbouring Turkey.
For many months, Assad's regime only rarely targeted Raqa city, apparently reserving most of its firepower for areas under rebel control.
But late this summer, the government intensified its air strikes against IS positions in northern and eastern Syria.
On September 6, 53 people were killed in air raids on Raqa, among them at least 31 civilians, according to the Observatory.
The US-led military coalition that has been carrying out air strikes against IS in Iraq and Syria has also targeted the jihadist group in Raqa.
Activists say Raqa's residents fear the government's strikes far more than those of the coalition because most of the casualties from the regime's attacks have been civilians.
There are now 7.6 million people displaced inside Syria and 3.2 million others have fled the country, mostly to bordering nations.
Some 12.2 million Syrians are in need of aid, up from 10.8 in July.
The UN Security Council will move to allow cross-border deliveries of relief supplies to Syria for another year, the president of the council said, as new figures showed more Syrians were in need of aid.
The Council in July agreed in a resolution to allow truckloads of much-needed aid to cross into rebel-held Syrian territory without the consent of the Damascus regime.
Australian Ambassador Gary Quinlan, whose country chairs the 15-member council this month, said his country along with Luxembourg and Jordan would move quickly to seek a 12-month extension of the aid deliveries.
- Brutal, highly-organised system -
Strategically located on the river Euphrates near the border with Turkey, Raqa had a pre-war population of about 220,000 but it is now home to 300,000-350,000 people, including many displaced by the conflict, according to the Observatory.
Since the jihadists first started moving into the city, they have been gradually imposing a brutal yet highly-organised system with all the trappings of a state, experts say.
Elsewhere in Syria, IS members stoned to death two men in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor on Tuesday after claiming they were gay, the Observatory said.
And in the central province of Homs the jihadists beheaded a member of the minority Ismaili community, accusing him of "apostasy," said the monitoring group.
AFP
Wed Nov 26 2014
![Syria air strikes on IS 'capital' kill 63 people Syria air strikes on IS 'capital' kill 63 people](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2014-11/61416973973_295x200.jpg)
Syrian rescue workers remove a body following reportedly air strikes by Syrian government forces in the Islamic State (IS) group controlled Syrian city of Raqa, on Nov 25, 2014. AFP PHOTO/RMC/STR
![Malaysia dijangka tarik pelaburan baharu dalam sektor tenaga dari Singapura dan Vietnam - Fadillah Malaysia dijangka tarik pelaburan baharu dalam sektor tenaga dari Singapura dan Vietnam - Fadillah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723715543_fadillahyusof.jpg)
Malaysia dijangka tarik pelaburan baharu dalam sektor tenaga dari Singapura dan Vietnam - Fadillah
Malaysia dijangka menarik pelaburan baharu dalam sektor tenaga dari Singapura dan Vietnam, kata Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
![EU derma 215,000 vaksin cacar monyet ke Afrika - Suruhanjaya Eropah EU derma 215,000 vaksin cacar monyet ke Afrika - Suruhanjaya Eropah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-11/61701237866_TBcacarmonyetmonk.jpg)
EU derma 215,000 vaksin cacar monyet ke Afrika - Suruhanjaya Eropah
Suruhanjaya Eropah mengumumkan bahawa pihaknya sedang menyelaraskan sumbangan lebih 215,000 dos vaksin cacar monyet kepada Pusat Kawalan dan Pencegahan Penyakit Afrika (Africa CDC).
![Keldai akaun: Penglibatan pelajar IPT secara tidak sengaja, ditipu sindiket - KPN Keldai akaun: Penglibatan pelajar IPT secara tidak sengaja, ditipu sindiket - KPN](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/51716596370_KetuaPolisNegara.jpg)
Keldai akaun: Penglibatan pelajar IPT secara tidak sengaja, ditipu sindiket - KPN
Polis tidak menolak kemungkinan pembabitan pelajar IPT sebagai pemilik keldai akaun disebabkan mereka turut menjadi mangsa penipuan sehingga akaun bank mereka digunakan sindiket.
![PRK Nenggiri: Jentera BN perlu teruskan gerak kerja hingga kempen berakhir PRK Nenggiri: Jentera BN perlu teruskan gerak kerja hingga kempen berakhir](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/41719285717_AhmadMaslan.jpg)
PRK Nenggiri: Jentera BN perlu teruskan gerak kerja hingga kempen berakhir
Jentera Barisan Nasional (BN) diingatkan terus melaksanakan gerak kerja sehingga tempoh kempen Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Nenggiri berakhir 11.59 malam esok.
![Kemajuan projek ECRL di empat negeri capai 70.13 peratus Kemajuan projek ECRL di empat negeri capai 70.13 peratus](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723734201_ECRLlandasankeret.jpg)
Kemajuan projek ECRL di empat negeri capai 70.13 peratus
Anthony Loke berkata pembinaan projek berkenaan berjalan lancar dan mengikut jadual ditetapkan.
![Parti pembangkang Thailand enggan sokong calon Perdana Menteri pakatan parti pemerintah Parti pembangkang Thailand enggan sokong calon Perdana Menteri pakatan parti pemerintah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723718306_tbPaetongtarnShinaw.jpg)
Parti pembangkang Thailand enggan sokong calon Perdana Menteri pakatan parti pemerintah
Parti Rakyat tidak akan menyokong pakatan pemerintah dalam pemilihan perdana menteri pada sesi parlimen Jumaat ini.
![Pasukan PBB akan lawat Bangladesh, siasat pembunuhan semasa protes pelajar Pasukan PBB akan lawat Bangladesh, siasat pembunuhan semasa protes pelajar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61722843505_BangladeshProtest.jpg)
Pasukan PBB akan lawat Bangladesh, siasat pembunuhan semasa protes pelajar
Pasukan penyiasat Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) akan melawat Bangladesh minggu depan untuk menyiasat ratusan kematian semasa protes yang diketuai pelajar baru-baru ini.
![Misi perdagangan Pulau Pinang ke AS tingkat hubungan pelabur, teroka teknologi baharu Misi perdagangan Pulau Pinang ke AS tingkat hubungan pelabur, teroka teknologi baharu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71723721338_TBChowKonYeow.jpg)
Misi perdagangan Pulau Pinang ke AS tingkat hubungan pelabur, teroka teknologi baharu
Misi pelaburan dan perdagangan InvestPenang ke AS berjaya mengeratkan hubungan dengan pelabur dari negara tersebut serta menyediakan peluang meneroka teknologi AI dan teknologi terkini.
![Keluarga Muhammad Nidza Afham reda, serah hal siasatan kepada polis Keluarga Muhammad Nidza Afham reda, serah hal siasatan kepada polis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723731965_Afham.jpg)
Keluarga Muhammad Nidza Afham reda, serah hal siasatan kepada polis
Keluarga Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar menyerahkan sepenuhnya urusan siasatan kematian Allahyarham kepada pihak berkuasa.
AWANI 7:45 [15/08/2024] – Nidza Afham selamat dikebumikan | Pembunuhan kejam | Sangkal dakwaan pengguna X | Srettha dilucut jawatan PM
#AWANI745 malam ini bersama Irfan Faruqi langsung dari Johor Bahru;
- Kematian Nidza Afham tiada unsur jenayah, punca masih tunggu siasatan makmal
- Pemain bola bawa kerambit masa gaduh rupa-rupanya senarai 'wanted' polis
- Produk Malaysia mendunia, kerajaan sasar tembusi pasaran antarabangsa
- Lebih 24 jam terkandas di Jeddah, jemaah umrah tuntut penjelasan Malaysia Airlines
- Kematian Nidza Afham tiada unsur jenayah, punca masih tunggu siasatan makmal
- Pemain bola bawa kerambit masa gaduh rupa-rupanya senarai 'wanted' polis
- Produk Malaysia mendunia, kerajaan sasar tembusi pasaran antarabangsa
- Lebih 24 jam terkandas di Jeddah, jemaah umrah tuntut penjelasan Malaysia Airlines
![Sidang Kemuncak Liga Arab terima pakai Deklarasi Jeddah Sidang Kemuncak Liga Arab terima pakai Deklarasi Jeddah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/61684575819_ligaarab.jpg)
Sidang Kemuncak Liga Arab terima pakai Deklarasi Jeddah
Sidang Kemuncak Liga Arab ke-32 yang berakhir pada Jumaat menerima pakai Deklarasi Jeddah yang menyeru perpaduan untuk menyelesaikan isu serantau, lapor Xinhua.
![Dadah: EU kenakan sekatan terhadap sepupu pemimpin Syria Bashar al-Assad Dadah: EU kenakan sekatan terhadap sepupu pemimpin Syria Bashar al-Assad](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/41682403664_Syria.jpg)
Dadah: EU kenakan sekatan terhadap sepupu pemimpin Syria Bashar al-Assad
Kesatuan Eropah (EU) menyenaraikan sepupu Presiden Syria Bashar al-Assad sebagai individu yang dikenakan sekatan kerana didakwa terlibat dalam jenayah mengedar dadah.
![Ribuan turun ke Idlib seru Bashar al-Assad letak jawatan Ribuan turun ke Idlib seru Bashar al-Assad letak jawatan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-03/61678923648_earthquake.jpg)
Ribuan turun ke Idlib seru Bashar al-Assad letak jawatan
Perhimpunan di pusat bandar Idlib adalah yang terbesar dalam beberapa tahun ini.
![Menteri Pertahanan Rusia lawat Syria Menteri Pertahanan Rusia lawat Syria](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-02/71645009352_TBSergeiShoigu.jpg)
Menteri Pertahanan Rusia lawat Syria
Menteri Pertahanan Rusia Sergey Shoigu dan Presiden Syria Bashar al-Assad pada Selasa mengadakan perbincangan mengenai pergerakan tentera Moscow di Mediterranean, lapor Xinhua memetik media tempatan.
![Kawasan tangki minyak di Syria musnah diserang peluru berpandu Kawasan tangki minyak di Syria musnah diserang peluru berpandu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-03/41615134896_aftermath.jpg)
Kawasan tangki minyak di Syria musnah diserang peluru berpandu
Menurut laporan, serangan yang dibuat itu adalah dengan menggunakan peluru berpandu balistik
![Isteri Presiden Syria bebas kanser payudara Isteri Presiden Syria bebas kanser payudara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-08/71564974515_TBSYRIANFIRSTLADY.jpg)
Isteri Presiden Syria bebas kanser payudara
Menurut wanita pertama berusia 44 tahun itu, beliau menerima rawatan kemoterapi dan turut menjalani pembedahan di sebuah hospital tentera Syria.
!['Semoga engkau meminum api dari neraka...' - Doa wanita kehilangan suami, anak 'Semoga engkau meminum api dari neraka...' - Doa wanita kehilangan suami, anak](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-02/41549003643_WANITA.jpg)
'Semoga engkau meminum api dari neraka...' - Doa wanita kehilangan suami, anak
Dicium gambar suami dan anak-anaknya satu persatu sambil memberitahu kesemua mereka telah terbunuh.
![Iran gesa Syria cari penyelesaian Iran gesa Syria cari penyelesaian](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-09/61536018012_IRANSYRIA.jpg)
Iran gesa Syria cari penyelesaian
Menteri Luar Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif membuat gesaan itu ketika tentera Syria yang menyokong Presiden Bashar al-Assad sedang meningkatkan serangan bagi mengambil semula wilayah itu.
![Iran-Syria perkukuh kerjasama pertahanan Iran-Syria perkukuh kerjasama pertahanan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-08/81535327666_TBSYRIANxjp.jpg)
Iran-Syria perkukuh kerjasama pertahanan
Kunjungan dua hari Hatami itu turut dijangka memuktamadkan beberapa perjanjian termasuk berhubung ketenteraan dan pertahanan baharu melibatkan kedua-dua negara.
![Wanita pertama Syria, Asma al-Assad jalani rawatan kanser payu dara Wanita pertama Syria, Asma al-Assad jalani rawatan kanser payu dara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-08/61533767224_AsmaAssad.jpg)
Wanita pertama Syria, Asma al-Assad jalani rawatan kanser payu dara
Bashar memaklumkan kanser payu dara yang dihidapi isterinya dikesan berada pada fasa awal.