16 people killed in Syria air strikes

Damascus: Sixteen people were killed on Friday in air strikes against towns in Syria`s central province of Homs, a monitor group reported.

Warplanes carried out at least 16 air strikes against areas in the rebel-held towns of Ghanto and Dar al-Kabira in the countryside of Homs, Xinhua quoted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as saying.

The Britain-based watchdog group said the toll could rise as many of the injured were in critical conditions.

It added that air raids also targeted other areas in northern Homs, namely the rebel-held city of Talbiseh, leaving many injuries.

Meanwhile, Syrian helicopters also dropped barrel bombs on the town of Tair Maleh in northern Homs, said the Observatory, stopping short of giving details about possible deaths.