Syrian government airstrikes kill at least 21 in northern town held by the Islamic State group

Smoke rises from an Islamic State position in eastern Kobani, after an airstrike by the US led coalition, seen from a hilltop outside Suruc, on the Turkey-Syria border Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014. Kobani, also known as Ayn Arab, and its surrounding areas, has been under assault by extremists of the Islamic State group since mid-September and is being defended by Kurdish fighters. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (The Associated Press)

A military plane of the US led coalition circles above the Syrian city of Kobani seen from hilltop outside Suruc, on the Turkey-Syria border Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014. Kobani, also known as Ayn Arab, and its surrounding areas, has been under assault by extremists of the Islamic State group since mid-September and is being defended by Kurdish fighters. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (The Associated Press)

BEIRUT – Activists say Syrian government air raids have killed at least 21 people in a northern town controlled by the Islamic State group.

The Aleppo Media Center activist collective and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights both reported the overnight airstrikes on the town of al-Bab in Aleppo province.

Observatory director Rami Abdurrahman said Sunday there were 10 strikes in total, including seven so-called barrel bombs dropped from helicopters. He says at least 21 people were killed and more than 100 wounded.

The Aleppo Media Center put the death toll at 30, with 85 wounded.

Differences in casualty figures are common in the chaotic aftermath of attacks in Syria.