Syrian government forces have kept up an escalation against the last rebel-held enclave in northwestern Syria with a wave of airstrikes that killed several people, activists and state media report.
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The increased fighting on Friday threatens a ceasefire negotiated by Russia and Turkey, in place since September. The agreement has since been undermined with recurrent cycles of violence.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the war in Syria, said fighting during the last four days had killed at least 38, calling it the "fiercest escalation" since the ceasefire came into effect.
The Observatory said at least a dozen air raids overnight on the southern edge of Idlib province killed six civilians.
On Friday, government warplanes dropped over 68 indiscriminate barrel bombs on several villages, including a dozen in Kfar Nabudah alone.
The activist-operated Shaam news agency put the death toll from Friday at seven and said the airstrikes have also targeted schools in two villages and a medical centre in one.
Syrian state media said the airstrikes targeted "terrorist groups," and reported that insurgents had also lobbed missiles into government areas.
The United Nations said it is deeply concerned by the violence. It said the escalation has caused massive displacement inside the enclave that extends between Idlib and Hama provinces and is home to about 3 million people.
The UN said at least 60 civilians were killed in April.
Australian Associated Press
