On the front line in Syria

Within hours of the UN ceasefire resolution Syria began its next phase of the war – to retake parts of Eastern Ghouta with ground forces. The bombing and rebel mortar attacks were slightly down but still there were claims that 22 were reportedly killed in the rebel-territory today.

Eastern Ghouta is a big region starting in the suburbs of Damascus and going east. You can see how close and easy it is for rebels to hit the Old City where I’ve been. The new offensive is thought to be from different sides of the Eastern Ghouta capital Douma – with troops massing and firing from Harasta and ground forces advancing around Al Nashabiya. The Syrian army claims to have retaken three areas there in southeastern Ghouta.