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<p>At least 23 people have been killed by air strikes on the rebel-held city of Idlib, in north-western Syria, activists say.</p><p>The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Russian aircraft targeted various positions overnight. Turkey also blamed Russia and put the death toll at more than 60. Russia has denied any involvement. Idlib city and the province of the same name are a stronghold of groups including al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front.</p><p>The Nusra Front is excluded from a partial cessation of hostilities brokered by the US and Russia in February to make way for a resumption of peace talks.<br></p><p><b>Islamic State group hits back as Iraqi army moves into Falluja</b></p><p>Militants from the so-called Islamic State have launched a dawn counter-attack as Iraqi government troops push into the city of Falluja.</p><p>A day after troops advanced through the southern suburb of Nuaimiya, scores of IS fighters attacked them, army officers told news agencies.</p><p>The army defeated the attackers but suffered casualties, the sources said. Aid workers are increasingly concerned for the safety of 50,000 civilians said to be trapped in Falluja. Reports speak of people starving to death and of being killed for refusing to fight for IS.<br></p>
