Overnight raids in Eastern Ghouta, rebels show resistance

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Syrian regime forces have intensified ground and aerial bombing overnight on Douma and Harasta, the key towns of Eastern Ghouta suburbs, as rebels still show fierce resistance despite the deadliest offensive, local reporter said Wednesday.

Zaman al-Wasl reporter said the regime jets had conducted more than 50 night raids, using cluster and barrel bombs.

At least 25 civilians killed on Tuesday, topping the death toll 1185 people since Feb 18, according to local monitoring groups.

The Assad regime and Russia have been carrying out a fierce bombing campaign and ground assault against the besieged enclave since February 18, despite a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a countrywide ceasefire.

Eastern Ghouta is the last remaining opposition-controlled zone on the outskirts of the capital, and rebels there have regularly fired rockets onto Damascus.

Eastern Ghouta is home to around 400,000 people, living under a five-year siege that has made food and medical aid exceedingly rare.

Civil Defense group said rescuing works are underway as tens of bodies are still under the rubble. On Tuesday, they pulled out eight civilians, including seven from the same family, in Zamalka town.

A military media unit run by the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, an ally of the Syrian government, said the army had entirely surrounded the town of Douma.

Rebel groups in Eastern Ghouta have vowed they will fight on. A statement issued by Free Syrian Army factions there late on Saturday said they had taken a decision not to accept a surrender and negotiated withdrawal.

The EU's foreign policy chief on Tuesday called on the Bashar al-Assad regime to stop attacks on Eastern Ghouta enclave completely.

Speaking at the European Parliament’s General Assembly meeting, Federica Mogherini pointed out that a proposal by Russia for a five-hour daily humanitarian “pause” to ensure the distribution of humanitarian supplies and civilian evacuations is important as a first step but is not enough.

Zaman Al Wasl