Assad regime, allies cut Eastern Ghouta in two

By Adham Kako

EASTERN GHOUTA, Syria / ANKARA, Turkey

Bashar al-Assad regime forces with air support from Russia sliced rebel-held Eastern Ghouta in two, during a ground operation on Sunday, according to Anadolu Agency correspondents.

At least 17 civilians were killed in the regime and Russian airstrikes, according to the White Helmets civil defense agency.

The Assad regime began a ground operation to capture Eastern Ghouta on March 3 with Russian air support, despite a 30-day UN cease-fire adopted late last month.

The regime forces advanced from east to west, taking Madyara town, and reached Haresta district, Anadolu Agency correspondents reported.

A suburb of Damascus, Eastern Ghouta -- home to roughly 400,000 people -- has remained the target of a crippling regime siege for the last five years.

Within the last eight months, the regime has stepped up the siege, preventing food and medicine from entering the district and leaving thousands of residents in need of medical treatment.

On Thursday, a UN commission of inquiry released a report accusing the Assad regime of committing war crimes in Eastern Ghouta, including the use of chemical weapons against civilians, causing mass starvation and preventing medical evacuations.

Within the last 20 days alone, more than 925 civilians in the embattled district have reportedly been killed in attacks by the regime and its allies.