Syrian activists say airstrikes targeted two opposition-held towns in northwestern Syria, killing 44 civilians.
The Syrian Observer for Human Rights said a vegetable market in the town of Maarat al-Numan was shelled Tuesday killing about 40 people. Another strike in the nearby town of Kafranbel in Idlib province, left at least four dead. Both areas are known as pro-opposition strongholds.
The shelling followed fighting Monday in the coastal province of Latakia, the stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad’s minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam.
The rebels insists the offensive was in response to regime's violations of the cease-fire deal that came in effect in February.
Both the Syrian pro-government forces and the rebels have accused each other of a string of breaches around Aleppo and in other areas of the country. The truce excluded areas controlled by Al-Nusra and the Islamic State group.
