Warplanes continue bombing in Syria capital

Syrian government warplanes supported by Russia continued their relentless bombardment of the rebel-controlled eastern suburbs of Damascus for a sixth day yesterday, killing nine people.

The death toll from the past week climbed to more than 400 people.

The new wave of bombings came a day after the Syrian army dropped leaflets over rebel-held eastern suburbs of Damascus, calling on residents to leave for their own safety and urging opposition fighters to hand themselves over.

The leaflets were dropped by helicopters over the area known as eastern Ghouta. They told residents they were surrounded from all sides by the Syrian army.

The number of casualties has overwhelmed rescuers and doctors at hospitals, many of which have also been bombed.

World leaders a day earlier called for an urgent ceasefire in Syria to allow relief agencies to deliver aid and evacuate the critically sick and wounded from besieged areas.