Activists Say Syrian Air Strikes On IS 'Capital' Kill Dozens

November 25, 2014

Syrian activists say several air strikes by the regime against the Islamic State (IS) group's self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa, in the country's east, has killed at least 60 people, among them 36 civilians.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on November 25 that dozens more were wounded, some of them critically.

The observatory said "most of the casualties were caused by two consecutive air strikes" on Raqqa's main industrial zone.

The IS extremist group emerged in Syria's war in spring 2013. It took over Raqqa, the only provincial capital to fall from government control since the outbreak of a 2011 revolt, and turned it into its bastion.

The Syrian government as well as a U.S.-led coalition frequently target IS targets there.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP