Russia uses cluster munitions in Syria

The military offensive that the Russian and Syrian government forces opened against armed groups opposed to the government on September 30 has included extensive use of cluster munitions, according to the New York-based human rights organization Human Rights Watch.

The organization stated that the Russian military has been using cluster munitions in its campaign in Syria.

The group reported that cluster munitions were used on at least 20 occasions since Syria and Russia began their joint offensive on Sept. 30.

As a result, these attacks have killed at least 35 civilians, including five women and 17 children and injured dozens.

The cluster munitions used in Syria were confirmed to have been manufactured in the former Soviet Union or Russia.

The group also identified seven types of air-dropped and ground-launched cluster munitions recently used in the northern Syrian provinces of Aleppo, Hama, and Idlib.

Cluster munitions pose an immediate threat to civilians during conflict by randomly scattering sub munitions or bomblets over a wide area.

They continue to pose a threat post-conflict by leaving remnants, including sub munitions that fail to explode upon impact, becoming de facto landmines.

The Syrian War has killed more than 250,000 people and displaced half of the population.

More than 11 million have been forced from their homes by the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the terror groups.