Putin blames rebels as no civilians make escape

No civilians have used a corridor manned by Syrian and Russian forces to leave a rebel-held enclave in a Damascus suburb, as a “humanitarian pause” in hostilities ordered by Russian president Vladimir Putin came into effect for a second day.

Syrian government forces, meanwhile, tried to push their way into eastern Ghouta, setting off ground battles.

Mr Putin blamed the rebels yesterday, saying that they were preventing civilians from leaving the area, and suggested that Russia would not “endlessly tolerate” the situation there.

Russia has ordered a fivehour daily humanitarian pause to allow civilians to exit the region, starting on Tuesday. However, no humanitarian aid has gone in, and no civilians have left.