Local sources: Syrian regime, Russia trying to partition E. Ghouta

Civil defence crews and civilians conduct search and rescue after an airstrike in the besieged town of Arbin, in the Eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of Damascus, on 2 December, 2017 [Qusay Noor/Anadolu Agency]

Turkey’s Anadolu News Agency said it has obtained information from local Syrian sources claiming that the Syrian regime and Russia are seeking to partition eastern Ghouta into two parts; northern and southern.

According to the sources, the Syrian regime forces and their Russian backers launched on Sunday a military operation to control the city of Douma and the surrounding towns.

“The regime started to move forward after controlling the towns of Otaya, Al-Nashabiya, Hazrama and Hosh al-Dhawahra in order to partition the area into two parts” they said; adding that Russian fighter jets have launched tens of air raids on eastern Ghouta in order to provide cover for the regime forces on the ground.

Putin blindly bombs Syria – Cartoon [Sarwar Ahmed/MiddleEastMonitor]

According to the same sources if the regime and its supporters advance from the areas under their control westward by 3 km and reach the city of Harasta, they would be able to partition eastern Ghouta into two parts.

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Meanwhile, violent clashes between the Syrian regime forces and the Syrian opposition have continued for the 15th consecutive day.

The opposition factions said they recovered some of the areas they lost on Saturday night and killed a large number of the regime’s forces.

Eastern Ghouta is the rebels’ last major stronghold near Damascus.

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