Last hours of Japanese reporter killed in Syria

The employers of Japanese journalist Mika Yamamoto – who was killed covering the Syrian crisis – have released footage of her last hours alive.

The award-winning reporter was said to have been caught up in fighting between regime-backed forces and rebels in the country’s second city Aleppo when she was shot.

“We heard there was an explosion and some casualties. We are now heading towards the area to cover the story,” she said in the video released by Japan Press.

Yamamoto is the fifth foreign journalist to be killed in Syria since the conflict began.

Eyewitnesses claim government troops launched air attacks on towns and villages north of Aleppo on Tuesday.

In the capital Damascus, activists say another 70 people have been killed during the latest battles to regain control of the Mouadamiya suburb.

An opposition group claims the air force has redeployed 30 Sukhoi fighter-bombers to bases closer to the fighting.

Medics say the Syrian military has been using heavier weaponry over the past few weeks and they are treating many more severe wounds.

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