Scores killed by airstrikes in northern Syria

[Khalil Ashawi/Reuters]

Russian and Syrian air strikes have been heavily bombing northern cities as battles intensify between several factions.

Syrian government and Russian jets have been heavily bombarding towns in Idlib province, as fighting rages between regime forces and opposition fighters in several other provinces, Al Jazeera has learnt. At least 44 people, including six children, were killed in 24 hours due to Russian and Syrian air strikes across the country, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) reported on Saturday. 

Abdel Rahman of the Syrian Civil Defence organisation told Al Jazeera air strikes on Friday's  targeted the town of Killi in Idlib and left at least five people killed, including three children.

"The Syrian Civil Defence team were doing their jobs and rescuing people. The air strikes that targeted those areas were a second round of air strikes. After our volunteers gathered to help save those injured and evacuate the area they were attacked for a second and third time.

"This is not the first time we have lost volunteers in the same way," Abdel Rahman said.