The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said children were among those killed as they tried to cross the river aboard rafts, escaping from areas where Russian-backed regime forces are battling the Islamic State group.
![Syrians displaced from the city of Deir Ezzor walk on the outskirts of Raqa on October 2, 2017 Syrians displaced from the city of Deir Ezzor walk on the outskirts of Raqa on October 2, 2017](https://www.gulf-times.com/uploads/imported_images/Upload/Slider/102017417953273763149.jpg)
Syrians displaced from the city of Deir Ezzor walk on the outskirts of Raqa on October 2, 2017
A Russian air strike killed at least 20 civilians on Wednesday as they tried to cross the Euphrates river to escape fighting in eastern Syria's Deir Ezzor province, a monitor said.