56 civilians killed in US-led airstrikes in Syria

Damascus, July 19 (IANS) At least 56 civilians were killed on Tuesday morning in US-led airstrikes in Manbej town of Syria, a monitor group said.

The "massacre" targeted Manbej, a town controlled by the Islamic State militant group, in the northern countryside of Aleppo province, Xinhua news agency reported citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The US-led anti-terror coalition has been backing the rebel's Syrian Democratic Forces to capture the town since May last year.

Capturing Manbej has a strategic importance to the US-backed rebels due to its location and depriving the IS from a key stronghold near Turkey.