REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, DAMASCUS -- Three months of Russian airstrikes in Syria have killed more than 2,300 people. Russia began conducting its air war in Syria on 30th September in support of its embattled ally, President Bashar al-Assad.

According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, as reported by The Guardian, Moscow’s strikes on Syria have killed 2,371 people so far. The toll includes 792 civilians, among of them were 180 children. The raids killed 655 Islamic State fighters, which Russia said it is targeting along with other terrorist groups.

Another 924 opposition fighters – ranging from US-backed rebels to members of al-Qaida’s Syrian affiliate and Isis rival the al-Nusra Front – were also killed in the Russian strikes.

Russia, a US-led coalition and the Syrian airforce were all carrying out air raids in the country, but it was differentiated between strikes based on the type of aircraft flown and the munitions used.

Russia has come under growing criticism from rebels, human rights groups and the west for inflicting civilian casualties. Amnesty International last week said Russian raids had killed hundreds of civilians, many in targeted strikes that could constitute war crimes.

"Russian strikes have killed hundreds of civilians and hit medical facilities, schools and markets," US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said, on Tuesday (29/12)

More than 250,000 people have been killed since the Syrian conflict erupted in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

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