Russian strikes kill 53, including 21 children, in IS-held Syrian village

The strikes hit residential buildings in the village of Al-Shafah on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

Russian air strikes on Monday morning killed at least 53 civilians, including 21 children, in a village held by the Islamic State group in Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor province, a monitor said in a new toll. 

"The toll increased after removing the debris in a long day of rescue operation," Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told AFP, adding the strikes hit "residential buildings" in the village of Al-Shafah on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River. 

The monitor previously gave a toll of 34.