Russian Air Strikes 'Kill 45 Rebels, Civilians' In Syria

A monitoring group says Russian air strikes in Syria's Latakia Province killed 45 people -- both rebel fighters and civilians.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the air strikes in the evening of October 19 targeted the Jabal Akrad area held by the First Coastal Division rebel group.

The group's chief of staff, Basil Zamo, was among rebels killed in the strikes, the Observatory said.

The group -- which fights under the banner of a loose alliance of factions known as the Free Syrian Army -- is one of several groups that have received foreign military support under a program supported by Washington.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP