The Syrian regime struck the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa on Saturday, killing at least 29 people, most of whom died in a crowded bakery hit by air strikes, reported AP.
At least 20 civilians were among the dead in the northern Syrian city, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, who said that the death toll was likely to rise.
A day after US President Barack Obama announced a global coalition to fight IS, Canada announced that it will send “several dozen” members of its armed forces to work in Iraq, according to Premier Stephen Harper.
A spokesman for Harper described the broader Canadian mission as one that provides "strategic and tactical counsel to Iraqi forces before they start tactical operations" against the Islamic State.
"This is an advise and assist role, not one in which Canadian Forces will be accompanying Iraqi forces on missions [or] tactical operations. They are there to provide advice that will help the government of Iraq and its security forces be more effective against ISIL," Jason MacDonald said in an email to CBC News.
According to CBC, the forces will mainly be deployed to assist Kurdish troops in their fight against IS.
Islamic State meanwhile has executed a second Lebanese soldier, Reuters reported.
A Twitter account linked to the group said the soldier was Abbas Medlij, who was captured in August in a raid by IS and other Syrian opposition groups on the border town of Arsal, along with 18 other Lebanese soldiers.