DHAKA: A Syrian government airstrike on a crowded market in the northern city of Aleppo has killed at least 21 people, activists say.

Videos uploaded by activists showed extensive damage to the market and corpses being pulled from cars.

Many more were reported wounded in the strike.

Government forces are reported to have killed about 400 people since beginning an aerial offensive in and around Aleppo two weeks ago.

Syrian authorities say they are targeting ‘terrorists’, a term the government uses to describe all opposition.

The main opposition alliance, the National Coalition, said earlier this week it would not attend a peace conference planned to take place next month in Geneva if the air campaign continued.

Human rights groups have condemned the Syrian air force’s use of so-called barrel bombs, oil drums or cylinders packed with explosives and shrapnel, saying the targeting is indiscriminate and that the attacks are therefore unlawful.

The bombs have hit residential and shopping areas, often killing dozens of civilians, either missing possible military targets or with little indication of any intended military objective, they say, according to the BBC.

BDST: 2156 HRS, DEC 28, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor