Syria: At least 32 Isis terrorists killed as US-led coalition targets Raqqa

Militant Islamist fighters in Raqqa — A US-led coalition has intensified its bombing campaign in Syria following the massacre of 130 people by IS terrorists in Paris REUTERS

At least 32 Islamic State (Isis) terrorists died and 40 more were injured in bombing raids that targeted the terror group's strongholds and bases in Raqqa city in Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said US-led coalition forces carried out the bombings, but some activist groups said Russian jets were responsible for the air strikes that may also have caused some civilian casualties.

According to Syrian Observatory, 15 air strikes were carried out on IS (Daesh) bases in Raqqa, the terror group's headquarters in Syria, on 6 December. Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the UK-based group, said the death toll could rise as the current figure comes from just one hospital.

Two activist groups – Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and the Sham News Network – also reported the air strikes but suggested Russian planes had been in action and that civilians had died, according to BBC.

"A Facebook page used by IS supporters said the air strikes were carried out by Russian war planes on the outskirts of Raqqa and killed 15 people, including eight children and five women. It said 25 people were wounded in the airstrikes," Associated Press reported.

The US-led coalition, which has been bombing IS strongholds in Iraq and Syria since September 2014, has intensified its campaign following the massacre of 130 people by IS terrorists in Paris. Russia started its bombing campaign in Syria following the downing of a Russian passenger plane, which it said was caused by a bomb.

IS has claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks as well as the downing of the Russian plane. All 224 passengers, mostly Russians, were killed in the plane crash on 31 October.

Syrian rebel forces fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have blamed Russia for targeting them instead of IS. Russia is backing Assad to stay in power, while US wants him removed.

The UK this month extended its bombing campaign from Iraq to Syria after Parliament approval. It carried out its first bombing raid on IS strongholds in Syria hours after the Parliament vote.