Damascus, Jun 2 (IANS): At least 71 civilians were killed in Syria in May, a record low since the civil war broke out in the country nine years ago, a war monitor reported.

The civilian casualties continue to decrease since a ceasefire was implemented in the northwestern Syrian in March, Efe news quoted the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as saying on Monday.

A total of 27 civilians were killed in separate attacks across the country, while 15 died in blasts caused by mines or explosive devices, including five children, the observatory said.

The NGO documented a total of 291 deaths in the last month, including fighters, soldiers and militias belonging to different forces involved in the conflict.

The troops loyal to President Bashar Assad had the majority share of the deaths as 89 people were killed, according to the source.

No official media has confirmed these figures.

The group of Hurras al-Din, considered to be the new Al Qaeda branch in Syria, launched the most violent attack on the pro-Assad forces on May 10 leaving 30 people dead, the observatory added.

Hurras al-Din, Guardians of the Religion, has not respected the truce agreed by Turkey, which supports the opposition, and Russia, one of the regime's main allies.

This decrease comes after a ceasefire implemented since March 6 in Idlib and its outskirts in northwestern Syria, considered to be the opposition's last stronghold.

Despite the reduction in the number of deaths, the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs in Syria warned in its most recent report issued on May 29 that "the humanitarian situation for people in northwest Syria remains alarming".

Rebels and Islamists are active in Idlib, including the Organization for the Liberation of the Levant, an alliance in which the former Syrian affiliate of Al Qaeda is included.