Many dead as bomb rips through Syria checkpoint

At least 20 people, including 14 rebel fighters, were killed on Thursday after a car bomb ripped through an opposition checkpoint near the city of Azaz in northern Syria. The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the number of fatalities is expected to rise as many of the injured battle critical condition in hospital. Islamic State militants have carried out frequent bombings in this area, which is dominated by Turkish-backed Syrian rebels.

The assault comes as world leaders gear up for fresh truce talks over the Syria conflict, reports Al Jazeera. Amid growing international pressure over civilian deaths in and around the city of Aleppo, Russia announced on Thursday that it is willing to allow safe corridors for flow of humanitarian aid into the besieged city and for rebels to leave the eastern part.

In a separate development, Russian President Vladimir Putin ratified a deal with the Syrian agreement on Friday, which allows Moscow to use the Hmeimim air base in Syria indefinitely, writes Reuters. Earlier this week, Russia announced its plans to set up a permanent naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus.