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Syrian Observatory - Russian or Syrian air raids kill dozens in east

Bloodstains are seen at a site hit by what activists said were three consecutive air strikes carried out by the Russian air force, the last which hit an ambulance, in the rebel-controlled area of Maaret al-Numan town in Idlib province, Syria January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

BEIRUT (Reuters) - At least 30 people were killed in air raids carried out by Russian or Syrian warplanes near the city of Deir al-Zor in eastern Syria on Friday, a group monitoring the war said. The strikes hit the town of Tabiyat Jazira, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The dead included more than a dozen children, it said. Russian jets have been bombing around Deir al-Zor as Syrian pro-government forces clash with Islamic State fighters, who control most of the province. The group has besieged remaining government-held areas of the city since last March, and last week launched new attacks. (Reporting by John Davison; Editing by Kevin Liffey)