Assad regime forces hit residential areas in the towns and villages of eastern Ghouta in Rural Damascus with barrel bombs in violation of the internationally sponsored ceasefire agreement reached in the area. The bombardment came as part of an escalating military campaign the Assad regime launched to advance on the liberated areas.
In addition to the latest military escalation on eastern Ghouta, regime forces impose crippling siege on the area and prevent the entry of the UN aid convoys in violation of international resolutions on Syria.
Medical sources warned of a humanitarian disaster in eastern Ghouta as life-saving medicine for hundreds of cancer patients has completely ran out.
Dr. Wisam Al-Roz, director of Rahma Cancer Center, told Anadolu Agency that as many as 559 people are the risk of death due to the lack of life-saving medication.
Al-Roz pointed out that the medical supplies in the Center began to dwindle three months ago after regime forces tightened the siege on eastern Ghouta in early 2017. At least 20 cancer patients died in the past three months, which is a large number compared to the total number of deaths recorded over the past four years, which reached 120 cases, she added.
Activists in Rural Damascus said that helicopters and jets of the Assad regime targeted the town of Beit Jin with more than 15 barrel bombs and airstrikes in the early morning hours of Wednesday. The attacks led to the destruction of several residential buildings and shops. They pointed out that the intensified bombardment came alongside attempts by regime forces backed by sectarian militias to break into the town from multiple directions.
Activists added that rebel fighters have repelled attempts by Assad forces to advance on the district of Jobar in eastern Damascene and the town of Ayn Tarma in the Damascus suburbs. They also said that the Assad regime offensive, which began over a month ago, is being launched alongside shelling by rockets, artillery, and mortar. The shelling has destroyed at least 90 percent of Jobar and more than 50 percent of Ayn Tarma. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
