In what has been described as the heaviest bombardment in days by Russian planes, at least 50 civilians were killed in Tuesday’s air strikes on rebel-held parts of Aleppo and nearby villages, according to residents and rescue workers.<br /><br /> The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group put the death toll at 25 at least, with scores of wounded.<br /><br /> In the neighbourhood of Bustan al-Qasr, locals said a medical centre and a children’s playground<br />were hit.<br /><br /> Aid organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres said there are now just 11 working ambulances left in the besieged city.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> #Syria:The siege prevents us from bringing in replacement parts for ambulances for hospitals of east #Aleppo https://t.co/bK4DwNMpLu pic.twitter.com/VbN71gXXlt— MSF International (@MSF) 12 octobre 2016<br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> The Syrian regime, backed by Russian air strikes, is seeking the complete recapture of Aleppo which has been divided between government and opposition control for years.<br /><br /> In Hama province, state media reported Syrian forces have won a series of victories against rebels as the two sides attack and counter-attack in towns and villages turned into battlegrounds.<br /><br /> Since Russia intervened in the Syrian conflict a year ago, President Assad’s soldiers have gained the upper hand on numerous fronts.<br />
