12 dead in Syrian govt airstrike

White Helmets rescued people trapped under a building in Idlib that was targeted by the Syrian government airstrike. A government offensive began in April to take control of rebel-held areas. The offensive has killed more than 2,000 people and displaced half a million.

Maaret Al-Numan: At least 12 people were killed and 34 others were wounded on Wednesday after Syrian government jets launched 12 missiles on a residential area in Maaret Al-Numan in Idlib's southern countryside, said White Helmets, a volunteer organisation that operates in rebel-controlled areas.

White Helmets rescued people trapped under a building in Idlib that was targeted by the airstrike.

Maaret al-Numan is one of the main towns in Idlib along the highway that links Damascus with Aleppo.

Government forces are trying to open the highway in what would cut the trip between the country's two largest cities by two hours as drivers currently have to take a longer and narrower desert road.

A government offensive that began on April 30 has killed more than 2,000 people and displaced half a million. Many have fled further north toward the border with Turkey.