Toll reaches 500 in relentless bombing near capital

BEIRUT — A new wave of air strikes and shelling on eastern suburbs of the Syrian capital of Damascus killed at least 22 people and wounded dozens Saturday, raising the death toll from a week of bombing in the area to 500.

The rising toll came as the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution demanding a 30-day cease-fire across Syria “without delay” to deliver humanitarian aid to millions and evacuate the critically ill and wounded.

“The U.N. convoys and evacuation teams are ready to go,” said Sweden’s U.N. Ambassador Olof Skoog.

The bombardment has overwhelmed rescuers and doctors at makeshift hospitals, many of which have also been shelled.

Syrian opposition activists say Russian warplanes are taking part in bombarding Damascus’ eastern suburbs, also known as eastern Ghouta, where many people are hiding in underground shelters with little food and medical supplies amid a tight government siege.

Russia has been a main backer of Syrian President Bashar Assad since the country’s conflict began seven years ago. In 2015, Moscow joined the war on Assad’s side tipping the balance of power in his favor.

“There is no electricity, no water, no flour, no bread and no baby formula,” said paramedic Siraj Mahmoud.

Syrian opposition activists said that government forces used phosphorous bombs in their attacks on the suburbs, but the claims could not be independently confirmed.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said air strikes that hit several suburbs left 22 people dead in different areas, including 10 in the suburb of Douma. The opposition’s Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, said 23 people were killed.