Report reveals devastating impact of barrel bombs in Syria

In 2015, over 17,000 barrel bombs were dropped on Syrian towns and villages killing over 2,000 people - including 500 children.

It comes as  an air raid on a courthouse in Idlib city, killed at least 50 people with many more expected to die from their wounds.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights meticulously documented cases of barrel bombs since the beginning of the conflict.

It found that the crude explosive device was used by Damascus' air force as early as 2012.
 
However, the group said barrel bombs were likely used from the earliest months of the conflict.

Reports of barrel bomb attacks have increased significantly over the past year.

Barrel bombs contain as much as 1,000 kg of explosives, and packed with nails and pieces of scrap metal. 

They have had a devastating effect on civilian areas leading to thousands of deaths and maiming many more.
 
Rebel-held districts of Damascus and the southern city of Daraa have been the most heavily targeted.

The majority of bombs have been dropped on civilian areas - destroying schools, hospitals and market places.