117 children killed in 10-day air offensive by Syria's regime

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A 10-day air offensive by Syria's regime against rebel areas of divided Aleppo city and nearby villages has killed more than 400 people, including 117 children, a monitor said on Wednesday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that by Tuesday night, the toll since December 15 from air strikes and a bombing campaign using barrels packed with TNT stood at 410. Also among the dead were 34 women, 30 rebel fighters and nine jihadists.

The Britain-based group said that the air force pressed its assault into an 11th day on Wednesday, with fresh raids on the opposition-held districts of Sakhur and Jabal Badro in eastern Aleppo city.

However it had no immediate information on further casualties.

The United States too has condemned the regime's aerial assault on civilian areas of Aleppo, accusing the military of using barrel bombs and SCUD missiles "indiscriminately".

On Wednesday, the Arab League and the European Union joined the chorus of criticism against the regime's offensive.

Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi meanwhile called on "the Syrian army to stop the air bombings" on Aleppo, condemning the killing of "hundreds of innocent civilians, especially women and children."

Arabi also called on the UN Security Council "to take responsibility" to end the conflict raging in Syria.

The opposition National Coalition has said it will boycott peace talks slated for January if the bombing of Aleppo does not cease.

Syria hit back at the US on Tuesday, describing it as a "one-eyed pirate" for condemning the aerial assault but "ignoring the crimes committed by the terrorists".