More Civilians Killed, Wounded in Terrorists' Attacks in Damascus Neighborhoods

TEHRAN (defapress)- Terrorists groups have killed tens of civilians in continued rocket and mortar attacks on Damascus city in the last ten days, Chief of the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria Maj. Gen. Yuri Yevtushenko said on Wednesday, adding that the militants are still preventing civilians' exit from Eastern Ghouta.

News ID: 69068

Date: 07 March 2018 - 15:58

"Over the past 10 days, militants have fired 272 mortar shells and rockets from Eastern Ghouta areas on the residential neighborhoods of the Syrian capital. A total of 13 people have been killed, 135 wounded, including three children," Yevtushenko said.

Yevtushenko added that 10 people were killed and 49 wounded when militants shelled the Tishrin hospital in Syria's Dahiyat Al-Assad on March 5.

So far, the Russian center's chief reported, only 17 people have managed to leave Eastern Ghouta through the Muhayam Al-Wafedin humanitarian corridor.

Russia on Tuesday said it offered anti-Damascus militants safe passage out of the Eastern Ghouta region, which they were using as a launch pad for deadly terrorist attacks on civilians in the Syrian capital.

Yevtushenko announced in a statement on Tuesday that Moscow would provide transport and a secure corridor for those militants who agree to leave Eastern Ghouta.

“If you do not wish to let the civilians out from the held areas, we are ready to guarantee a safe passage from Eastern Ghouta for you and your families. For that purpose there will be enough transport provided as well as security will be guaranteed along the whole route,” he stressed.

The militants leaving Eastern Ghouta with personal weapons and with their families would be guaranteed immunity from prosecution, he added.

“We call upon the leaders of all illegal armed groups to make everything possible to as soon as possible release the civilians from suffering and secure unobstructed delivery of humanitarian aid to Eastern Ghouta,” Yevtushenko stated.

From inside the region, foreign-backed militants have been launching indiscriminate mortar and rocket attacks on Damascus, which have resulted in many civilian deaths.

The Syrian army, backed by Russian air force, has launched an operation to liberate the region from a host of militant groups, the strongest of which is the Takfiri Jeish al-Islam outfit.

Syria has established humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to leave the operation zone, but the militants holed up there are blocking the exit of people, using them as human shields in the face of the government’s liberation operation.

However, Western powers and mainstream media have been trying to put the blame for the Eastern Ghouta situation on the Damascus government.

On February 24, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously passed a resolution demanding a month-long ceasefire across Syria to allow for humanitarian aid deliveries and medical evacuations, but that has failed to reduce terrorist attacks on civilians.

The truce does not apply to operations against terror groups such ISIL and Al-Nusra Front along with “individuals, groups, undertakings and entities” associated with the terror outfits.

On Monday, the Russian military said Washington was flouting the UNSC resolution by failing to prevent the militants it controls from launching daily raids on the Syrian army troops in Eastern Ghouta and shelling Damascus.