Syria regime warplane crashes in Ariha market killing at least 27

A Syrian regime warplane has crashed into the busy market of rebel-held town of Ariha, northwest Syria, leaving at least 27 people dead.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) and other activists on Twitter have reported that the incident took place between bombing raids on the town, which was seized by rebel forces in May.

SOHR said a mechanical failure occurred, but it is not yet clear whether the plane was shot down. Several people were also reported wounded, with the death toll likely to rise.

Unverified video from after the crash showed engine parts in the wreckage, with the Syrian regime flag painted on one side:

Another piece of footage from the aftermath of the crash depicted people walking across the destroyed marketplace and collapsed buildings in an attempt to find survivors and remove bodies:

The Idlib province town was captured by rebels on May 28 after a massive offensive. The Assad regime has continued the bomb the area with warplanes in an attempt to weaken the militants.

In January, at least 35 soldiers were killed in a cargo plane crash in Idilb province.

Al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra rebels have since said they shot down the cargo plane, while state media blamed that crash on bad weather conditions.