DAMASCUS – Heavy Syrian bombardment killed at least 77 civilians inrebel-held Eastern Ghouta on Monday, a war monitor said, as regime forcesappeared to prepare for an imminent ground assault.
The escalation came as pro-government forces were also expected to enterthe northern Kurdish-controlled enclave of Afrin, to take a stand against amonth-old Turkish assault there.
Held by rebels since 2012, Eastern Ghouta is the last opposition pocketaround Damascus and President Bashar al-Assad has dispatched reinforcementsthere in an apparent concerted effort to retake it.
A barrage of air strikes, rocket fire and artillery slammed into severaltowns across Eastern Ghouta on Monday.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 20children were among 77 civilians killed in the assault, while around 300other people were wounded.
“The regime is bombing Eastern Ghouta to pave the way for a groundoffensive,” said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.
The main opposition National Coalition, which is based in Turkey, denouncedthe “war of extermination” in Eastern Ghouta as well as the “internationalsilence”.
In a statement, it also accused regime ally Russia of seeking to “bury thepolitical process” for a solution to the conflict.
Residents of Hammuriyeh could be seen rushing indoors in panic as soon asthey heard the sound of airplanes.
Alaa al-Din, a 23-year-old Syrian in Hammuriyeh, said civilians were afraidof a potential government offensive.
“Ghouta’s fate is unknown. We’ve got nothing but God’s mercy and hiding outin our basements,” he told AFP. “There’s no alternative.” APP /AFP