"Dozens of Civilians" Killed in Airstrike by Bashar al-Assad's Forces

An airstrike by Bashar al-Assad's forces, the President of Syria, on a livestock market in the northeastern part of the country left at least 65 civilians dead. According to Reuters, this airstrike occurred on Tuesday, January 30, targeting people who had come to the market in the village of al-Khansaa to sell their livestock. The report, based on statements from local residents and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights based in the UK, states that thousands of people from surrounding villages and towns had brought their livestock to this large market when they were hit by the airstrike. Reuters notes that Syrian government officials were not available to respond to the news. The village of al-Khansaa is controlled by the extremist group 'Islamic State' (formerly ISIS), which has seized one-third of Syrian territory. Khair al-Abidi, a local resident, told Reuters in a phone conversation that at least 65 bodies, many of which were burned, were discovered at the site. An opposition activist also told Reuters that Assad's air forces had bombed targets in the same area during the night. The Associated Press, citing its sources, reported the death toll to be between 70 and 80. So far, no official authority has announced an exact number of casualties.