MESOP SYRIA SUMMARY TODAY : ASSAD FORCES KILL DOZENS OF CIVILIAN PEOPLE IN RAKKA

 Syrian government warplanes struck the northern city of Raqqa, an Islamic State stronghold, Tuesday killing dozens of people, according to residents and activists. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported Syrian aircraft conducted at least 10 strikes, with the majority concentrated in the eastern portion of the city. The activist group reported 95 people were killed, including 52 civilians. Islamic State militants pushed the remaining government forces from Raqqa province in August, and captured an air base. U.S.-led airstrikes have also hit several targets in Raqqa province, though a U.S. official said coalition forces had not carried out airstrikes in the area in the last 24 hours. While U.S. officials have acknowledged that coalition airstrikes against Islamic State militants may benefit the Syrian government, they have said they are not coordinating with regime forces