Syria activists say airstrikes on IS-held Raqqa kill 18
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Airstrikes in Syria targeting the Islamic State group's de facto capita of Raqqa killed at least 18 civilians, including two children, activists said Wednesday.
The strikes, which the activists blamed on Russian and Syrian warplanes, came after an advance toward the city by government forces stalled, with the extremists taking back large areas in the surrounding province.
Syrian President Bashar Assad meanwhile designated a new prime minister to form a government following April's parliamentary elections. The vote, held only in government-controlled areas, was dismissed by the opposition and much of the international community.
