Global pressure mounts to end civilian suffering

Douma, Syria, Feb. 22: International pressure mounted on Thursday to end civilian suffering in a rebel- held enclave near Damascus where Syrian jets have been raining bombs in a blitz that has killed more than 300.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres described the death and devastation that has engulfed Eastern Ghouta since Sunday as “hell on earth”, and joined France in calling for an immediate humanitarian truce.

The UN Security Council is expected to vote, probably on Thursday, on a draft resolution demanding a 30- day ceasefire to allow deliveries of aid and medical evacuations.

The push for a vote came after the Red Cross demanded access to the area, saying the situation was so dire that its teams should be allowed access to Eastern Ghouta to help overwhelmed doctors and nurses.

Fresh air raids on several parts of the enclave killed at least 50 civilians, including eight children, and wounded 350 on Wednesday. Many of the region’s hospitals have also been targeted, leaving many out of service.

“The fighting appears likely to cause much more suffering in the days and weeks ahead, and our teams need to be allowed to enter Eastern Ghouta to aid the wounded,” said Marianne Gasser, the International Committee of the Red Cross’s head of delegation in Syria.