ALEPPO, Syria, Aug. 28 (UPI) — Two barrel bombs were dropped on a funeral wake for children in Aleppo, Syria, killing at least 16 people.
The wake was taking place in the rebel-controlled neighborhood of Bab al-Nayrab, the same place where some 15 people were killed by barrel bombs Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, CNN reported. They are among hundreds killed this month, including many women and children.
The bombs were dropped from a helicopter. In addition to the deaths, 30 others were injured, Al Jazeera reported.
RELATEDChildren among dead in Aleppo, Syria, hospital airstrike
“The first round of barrel bombs came down during the funeral,” said Ibrahim al-Hajj, media center director for the volunteer rescue group Syria civil defense.
“Those who survived headed in the direction of the shelter nearby. They were about to enter the shelter when they were hit with another round of barrel bombs, and they all dropped to the floor,” he said.
At least 15 women and children from the same family were killed Thursday when bombers targeted their home in Bab al-Nairab.
“They were having breakfast together when their home was hit with barrel bombs,” al-Hajj said.
“There were 11 children and four women, all dead.” al-Hajj, had accompanied volunteers during their rescue efforts as they documented each attack.
Barrel bombs are oil drums filled with explosives and shrapnel dropped by aircraft. This type of bomb killed 3,000 civilians in Aleppo in 2014, according to Amnesty International, which says barrel bombs are a common weapon used by the Syrian government, fighting a civil war against rebels since 2011
