Almost 1,900 Dead in Syria Since Peace Conference Began

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

Beirut — Nearly 1,900 people have been killed in Syria since peace talks opened in Switzerland on January 22, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday.

The group said at least 498 civilians were among those killed in Syria since the government and opposition joined peace talks that were due to wrap up later Friday, having produced no signs of progress.

The civilian deaths included 431 killed in fighting between rebels and the government, as well as 40 who died from lack of food and medicines in areas under government siege, the Observatory said.

Another 27 civilians were killed in clashes between the jihadist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and rival rebels that began at the beginning of January.

The group said 646 mainstream or Islamist rebels had been killed in fighting with regime forces or the ISIL.