Nearly 50 people were killed in fighting Friday in Syria, the last day of a cease-fire announced by the Syrian army to mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The violence took place in two different parts of the country — in Idlib province, near the border with Turkey, and north of the city of Aleppo.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the violence, said airstrikes killed 23 people, including two children, in the village of Darkoush in Idlib province. It is not clear whether Syrian or Russian warplanes carried out the attack. The area is controlled by a coalition of various rebel groups, including the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front.
Outside Aleppo, the Observatory reported at least 25 people were killed, including several children. Rebels carried out the attack with mortar shells, to counter government troops' advance on Thursday to capture a key supply line that rebels control.
Friday ended a 72-hour cease-fire called by the Syrian army to allow people to enjoy the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. The truce was scarcely observed, however; observers said fighting by all sides has continued since the battle pause was to have taken effect on Wednesday.
