48 killed by Syrian government air strikes, according to activists

48 people have been killed following government air strikes that bombarded the opposition-held town of Talbiseh, according to a monitoring group on Wednesday.

The airstrikes targeted a “terrorist meeting” in Talbiseh, according to state media.

The bombardment reportedly began on Monday and continued into the following day. Six children were among the reported 48 individuals who died. The death toll is expected to rise, as bodies are still being pulled from the rubble.

Talbiseh is on the country’s main north side, about 10km north of the city of Homs, which had been the centre of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. The government regime now controls most of Damascus, whilst rebels control much of the Northeast.

On Tuesday, Mohammed al-Lahham, speaker for Syria’s parliament, reportedly urged US congressional leaders to reconsider President Barack Obama’s anti-IS strategy, which includes air strikes against the militant group in Syria.

The US has rejected any suggestion of working with the Assad government to confront IS.

Meanwhile, another 34 children have died in another opposition-held area of Syria. The children were reportedly administered contaminated measles vaccinations. Health authorities have subsequently been accused by parents of incorrectly storing the vaccines and using out-of-date medication.

Diseases such as measles and polio have become increasingly common following the conflict in Syria and the resultant break down in state institutions.

Since the uprising began in 2011, the death toll has reached more than 191,000, and a further nine million people have been displaced from their homes.