11,420 children killed in Syrian conflict, 70% by explosives

An Oxford Research Group report indicates that 11,420 children have been killed in the Syrian conflict since it began in March 2011. Explosive weapons have been the cause of more than 70 percent of the child deaths, the report, "Stolen Futures: The Hidden Toll of Child Casualties in Syria," said. Small arms fire accounts for more than one quarter of the deaths. "The data we analysed indicates that bombs and bullets alone ended the lives of ten thousand Syrian children in 30 months of war," co-author Hamit Dardagan said. "The world needs to take a much closer interest in the effects of the conflict on Syria's children." The study reports that 764 children have been executed, and 112 were tortured before their executions. "What is most disturbing about the findings of this report is not only the sheer numbers of children killed in this conflict, but the way they are being killed. Bombed in their homes, in their communities, during day-to-day activities such as waiting in bread lines or attending school," co-author Hana Salama said. Both Syrian troops and rebel groups have been blamed for the deaths, CNN reported.