Syria regime bombing reportedly kills 19 civilians near Damascus

Syrian regime airstrikes and artillery fire kills 19 civilians across the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta region outside the capital Damascus, a monitor says.

Government airstrikes on the areas of Mesraba and Madira kill 17 civilians, while artillery fire on the town of Douma kills another two civilians, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor.

“The toll could rise further because of the number of wounded people in serious condition,” says Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman.

The deaths come despite the area falling within a so-called “de-escalation zone” put in place under a deal between government allies Russia and Iran and rebel backer Turkey.

Eastern Ghouta is already in the grip of a humanitarian crisis caused by a crushing regime siege of the area since 2013 that has caused food and medical shortages.

According to the Observatory, regime bombardment of Eastern Ghouta in the last two weeks has killed more than 100 people.

— AFP