Russian Airstrikes Kills Dozens of Turkey-Backed Fighters in Syria, Rebels Say

BEIRUT—Russian airstrikes killed dozens of Turkey-backed fighters in northwestern Syria on Monday, according to a spokesman for the fighters and a commander in the targeted group, in a deadly escalation of violence that puts a fragile cease-fire at risk.

A Russian aircraft that took off from Syria’s Hmeimim Air Base executed one raid, firing three ordnances at a training camp in Idlib province, said Maj. Youssef Hammoud, a spokesman for the Syrian National Army, a coalition of rebel groups backed by Turkey against Syria’s Assad regime.

Sheikh Omar Hodeifah, a commander in the targeted group, Faylaq al-Sham, put the death toll at 33, with more than 60 wounded. The death count was high because the airstrike occurred while a lesson was taking place, he said.

Russian officials didn’t respond to a request for comment on the accusation.

Moscow and Ankara, which back opposite sides of the conflict in Syria, agreed in March to a truce in the rebel-held territory, halting a regime offensive that had forced nearly a million people to flee their homes.