Fierce air attacks in north-western Syria yesterday killed 19 people, including 9 children. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the airstrikes hit wide areas of the opposition-held Idlib province. The monitors believe the attacks were carried out by Russia or the Syrian government.<br/><br/>Rescue workers said airstrikes also hit a town where chemical weapons are suspected to have killed more than 70 civilians earlier this month. The United States fired cruise missiles at a Syrian military airfield in response to the alleged chemical attack. Even after the US missile raids, Syrian government forces have continued their air strikes, and opposition forces have fought back. The continued fighting is causing a heavy civilian death toll.