Syrian government warplanes bombarded rebel-held areas around the country Saturday, while insurgents shelled government-held neighborhoods in violence that left dozens killed or wounded hours after a new U.S.-Russia agreement was reached to try to reduce the bloodshed in the war-torn country. At least a quarter-million people have been killed, and half of the country’s prewar population has been displaced. Aleppo has been the center of violence in Syria in recent months, where 2,200 people, including 700 civilians, have been killed since July, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which tracks violence in Syria. Bassma Kodmani, of the opposition High Negotiations Committee, told the AP that Russia should pressure Assad’s government to abide by the agreement reached early Saturday. He added that the group enjoys fighting the “coalition of the Crusaders,” saying they have a large number of suicide attackers for the mission.

Source: Los Angeles Times September 10, 2016 17:30 UTC