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BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian opposition activists say air raids on two villages in eastern Syria have killed at least 40 people and wounded scores more. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the air raids on the villages of Tabiah and Bouleil killed 40 people, including whole families. The Local Coordination Committees said the air raids killed 30 in Tabiah and dozens in Bouleil. Opposition activist Omar Abu Leila said Friday's air raids hit the two villages that are under the control of the Islamic State group, saying all those killed were civilians. The LCC and Abu Leila said the air raids were carried out by Russian warplanes but it was not possible to independently confirm the claim. IS controls most of Deir el-Zour province and over the past week launched a wide offensive capturing some areas from government forces near the provincial capital city of Deir el-Zour.

Activists: Air raids kill dozens in eastern Syria