Updated at 10:38 p.m. ET: Syrian government forces have dropped Soviet-made cluster bombs over civilian areas in the past week as they battle to push back rebel gains, Human Rights Watch said on Sunday.
The bombs were dropped from planes and helicopters, with many of the strikes taking place near the main north-south highway running through the northwestern town of Maarat al-Numan, HRW said in a report.
"If we needed any further proof of the Syrian government's complete disregard for the lives of its own citizens, its own children, well, here it is. Because we know now that the government is using cluster munitions in populated areas," Philippe Bolopion of Human Rights Watch said in a video statement. "And of course these weapons are extremely dangerous for the civilian population and the children."
The munitions, which first detonate in midair and release bomblets over a wide area, can remain active for years, the rights group said. Children, who often pickup the munitions, are especially vulnerable to cluster bombs.
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