Assad regime bombs Damascus, violates ceasefire

Regime warplanes could be seen flying overhead today in the Eastern Ghouta region

A huge explosion sends fire into the air after Assad Regime’s forces carried out air and ground strikes over the de-conflict zone, Ein Tarma district in the Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria on 7 August 2017 [Muhammad Khair/ Anadolu Agency]

The Assad regime fails to abide by a ceasefire and carries out air and ground strikes over the Ein Tarma district in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, Syria on 7 August 2017. [Muhammad Khair/ Anadolu Agency]

Fires can be seen after Assad regime’s forces carried out air and ground strikes over the de-conflict zone, Ein Tarma district in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, Syria on 7 August 2017. [Muhammad Khair/Anadolu Agency]

Huge fires can be seen as the Assad regime breaks the terms of a ceasefire and carries out air and ground strikes over the Ein Tarma district in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, Syria on 7 August 2017. [Muhammad Khair/ Anadolu Agency]

The Syrian army stepped up shelling and air strikes on the last opposition-held enclaves in the Syrian capital today, its heaviest bombardment in a two-month campaign, witnesses said.

From the strategic Qasyoun Heights that overlooks Damascus, elite units of the army pounded Jobar district, some two kilometres east of the Old City wall and Ain Terma just to the south.

The army’s offensive has dented a Russian-sponsored ceasefire announced two weeks ago in the Eastern Ghouta area to the east of Damascus.

Moscow has said it is negotiating with mainstream opposition groups in several areas across Syria to create new de-escalation zones and calm fighting.

Rebels and residents said Moscow had already begun deploying some military police in certain checkpoints that border the rebel-held northern Homs countryside and in southwestern Syria where “de-escalation” zones have been announced.

Residents and rescuers say the Syrian army has intensified shelling of civilian areas in the Eastern Ghouta region where opposition groups are holed up, many in underground tunnels, out of frustration at the lack of progress.

At least 15 civilians have been killed and scores of others injured in three days of sustained bombardment.

The UK based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights which monitors the conflict said at least 20 army soldiers were either killed, injured or taken prisoner in the past 24 hours, confirming opposition estimates.

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Less intense shelling has hit Zamalka, Harasta and Kafr Btna, also in Eastern Ghouta. Social media videos downloaded by activists showed sorties of jets pounding areas in Ain Tarma and Jobar, with fire erupting in places and large plumes of smoke rising into the air.

Eastern Ghouta has been under opposition control for much of the six-year conflict. Jobar is in northeast Damascus and borders the Eastern Ghouta district of Ain Terma.

The army is also using more elephant rockets – inaccurate and improvised munitions often made from gas canisters and fired on a high trajectory – insurgents said.

The elephant rockets are not having mercy on us. We have dug tunnels and fortified our positions so they are unable to advance

said Abu Obada al Shami, a commander from Failaq Al-Rahman, the opposition group whose fighters are drawn from the area.

Before the war began in 2011, more than half a million people lived in Eastern Ghouta, a sprawling mix of towns and farmland.

Two residents said Ain Terma was now a ghost town, with only a few hundred families taking shelter in basements after most former residents fled to other towns in Eastern Ghouta.

A huge explosion sends clouds into the air after Assad regime’s forces carried out air and ground strikes over the de-conflict zone, Ein Tarma district in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, Syria on 7 August 2017. [Ammar Al-Bushy/Anadolu Agency]

Huge explosions could be seen and heard after Assad regime's planes carried out air and ground strikes over the de-conflict zone, Ein Tarma district in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, Syria on 7 August 2017. [Ammar Al-Bushy/Anadolu Agency]

Huge explosions Syrian regime planes could be seen flying over the Ein Tarma district in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, Syria on 7 August 2017. They carried out air strikes in the area in violation of the ceasefire agreement. [Ammar Al-Bushy/Anadolu Agency]could be seen and heard after Assad regime’s planes carried out air and ground strikes over the de-conflict zone, Ein Tarma district in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, Syria on 7 August 2017. [Ammar Al-Bushy/Anadolu Agency]

Debris is flown into the air after Assad regime’s planes carried out air and ground strikes over the de-conflict zone, Ein Tarma district in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, Syria on 7 August 2017. [Ammar Al-Bushy/Anadolu Agency]

Syrian regime planes could be seen flying over the Ein Tarma district in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, Syria on 7 August 2017. [Ammar Al-Bushy/Anadolu Agency]

Syrian regime planes could be seen flying over the Ein Tarma district in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, Syria on 7 August 2017. They carried out air strikes in the area in violation of the ceasefire agreement. [Ammar Al-Bushy/Anadolu Agency]

Buildings were demolished during air raids carried out by the Assad regime in the Ein Tarma district in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, Syria on 7 August 2017 in violation of the ceasefire agreement. [Ammar Al-Bushy/Anadolu Agency]

Plums of smoke could be seen after Syrian regime planes struck targets in Ein Tarma district in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, Syria on 7 August 2017. They carried out air strikes in the area in violation of the ceasefire agreement. [Ammar Al-Bushy/Anadolu Agency]

A huge explosion sends clouds into the air after Assad Regime’s forces carried out air and ground strikes over the de-conflict zone, Ein Tarma district in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, Syria on August 07, 2017. ( Ammar Al-Bushy – Anadolu Agency )

Huge explosions Syrian regime planes could be seen flying over the Ein Tarma district in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, Syria on 7 August 2017. They carried out air strikes in the area in violation of the ceasefire agreement. [Ammar Al-Bushy/Anadolu Agency]

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