8 civilians killed by regime raids in Syria's E. Ghouta

By Mohamed Misto

DAMASCUS

At least eight civilians were killed on Thursday in air, mortar and cluster-bomb attacks carried out by regime forces in opposition-held parts of Eastern Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, local medical sources have told Anadolu Agency.

According to information provided by hospital officials in the targeted areas, at least three children were killed in the town of Beit Sawa while another was killed in the nearby town of Arbin.

Three more civilians were killed Thursday by regime attacks in the town of Saqba, while another was killed in the city of Douma, local sources told Anadolu Agency, speaking anonymously due to security fears.

According to local field sources, regime forces also used cluster bombs to strike the opposition-held cities of Harasta, Douma, Arbin and Hamouriyah, leaving dozens of local residents injured.

In response to the raids, opposition forces launched fresh military operations against regime forces deployed in Harasta, according to opposition sources.

In the ensuing clashes, a number of regime personnel were killed, including several officers, while numerous regime weapons were seized by opposition fighters.

As of Thursday afternoon, intense clashes were still underway in Harasta.

Although Eastern Ghouta falls within a network of de-escalation zones (in which acts of aggression are expressly forbidden), regime forces repeatedly attacked the district this week, leaving dozens of civilians dead or injured.

Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating civil war that began in early 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.