Amnesty reports: Russian air strikes in Syria have killed hundreds of civilians and caused massive destruction in residential areas – striking homes, a mosque and a busy market, as well as medical facilities – in a pattern of attacks that show evidence of violations of international humanitarian law, said Amnesty International in a new report published today (23 December).

Amnesty’s 28-page report – ‘Civilian objects were not damaged’: Russia’s statements on its attacks in Syria unmasked – highlights the high price civilians have paid for suspected Russian attacks across the country, focusing on six attacks in Homs, Idleb and Aleppo between September and November, attacks which killed at least 200 civilians and around a dozen fighters.

The report includes evidence suggesting that Russian authorities may have lied to cover up civilian damage to a mosque from one air strike and a field hospital in another. It also documents evidence suggesting Russia’s use of internationally-banned cluster munitions and of unguided bombs in populated residential areas. [Continue reading…]