Russian-led strikes on rebel-held northwest Syria kill 18

In Syria, Russian-led air strikes killed at least 18 people where a major government offensive to clear out rebels has sent thousands of people fleeing toward the border with Turkey.

Victims include a family of eight with six children who were killed in a village of government-controlled Aleppo.

At least eight other civilians were killed in other strikes by Russian and Syrian government warplanes on rural opposition areas that have been hit hard since the Russian-led military campaign.

However, Moscow and Damascus deny accusations of indiscriminate bombing of civilians, saying they are fighting jihadist militants who they say have stepped up their attacks on civilians in Aleppo city in northern Syria.