Beirut: At least 19 Islamic State terrorists were killed in Syria in airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force, according to a rights group.

At least 15 people were killed in al-Karma and its surroundings in eastern areas of al-Raqa province, an IS stronghold in Syria, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The other four were killed in airstrikes targeting IS locations in the ancient city of Palmyra in the province of Homs.

The report said that the Russian air force carried out 34 missions in al-Karma and Palmyra, where two armories and 12 vehicles were destroyed.

Since September 30, Russia has been targeting IS positions in Syria with aerial bombings, according to Russian and Syrian officials.

Opposition activists have condemned the Russian airstrikes claiming they targeted civilians and opposition fighters, not IS terrorists.

(IANS)