At least 20 people killed in Syrian air strikes

At least 20 civilians were killed after air strikes hit Syria's rebel-held eastern Ghouta district, just outside Damascus according a war monitor. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that warplanes struck the towns of Zamalka, Arbaeen, Hazza and Beitu Soua. "Dozens of air strikes hit several areas in Eastern Ghouta, killing 23 civilians including four children," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the observatory. The deadliest raids hit a market in the town of Beit Sawa, killing nine civilians including two children. Another six civilians, including a young girl, were killed in bombardment on the town of Hazzeh. The remaining victims were killed in strikes across the rest of the besieged region, and more than 80 people wounded, the Observatory said. The Syrian army of President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russian air power and Shi'ite Muslim militias, has besieged eastern Ghouta, the largest remaining rebel bastion near Damascus, for years. International concern has been growing over the fate of eastern Ghouta as bombardment by the Syrian military and Russia has increased in recent months and as shortages of food and medicine have led to severe malnutrition. This month alone, chlorine is suspected of having been used on two occasions in munitions launched by the regime on eastern Ghouta, causing respiratory problems among civilians. Last Friday, a Syrian regime bombardment killed at least 11 civilians. Assad and his allies have gained momentum in the seven-year-old war, gaining territory, pushing rebels from most big cities, and forcing several pockets to surrender last year. Syria's war has killed more than 340,000 people and displaced millions since it began in March 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. Source: RTE