More of the Same in East Ghouta - Terrorists Attempt to Break UNSC Brokered Humanitarian Pause
Today, the militants who invaded East Ghouta, once again didn’t allow the civilians to leave it. They brought down a hail of mines and homemade shells on the road leading from this Syrian region. The new attempt of extremists to break the humanitarian pause was discussed today at the UN, where Sergey Lavrov spoke. He called on those who sponsor the militants to make them stop the fire.
Our military correspondent Mikhail Fedotov is working on the spot, right in the firing zone.
The al-Wafideen checkpoint. It’s through this road that civilians are to leave the areas of East Ghouta, which are controlled by terrorists. But today, not a single person appeared here. Terrorists broke the humanitarian pause again, having opened fire from mortars and artillery. Explosions of shells, machine-gun fire. The militants don’t let people escape the surrounding.
Yury Evtushenko, the Reconciliation Center head: "Today, in the second day of the humanitarian pause, civilians didn't manage to leave East Ghouta. Military formations fighters, especially from Jaysh al-Islam, actively opposed the process. At the same time, yesterday, residential quarters of Damascus were shelled 13 times from the areas of East Ghouta controlled by the military formations. The shelling destroyed several buildings, and there were injured civilians".
On the site behind the humanitarian corridor, dozens of buses await the civilians to be evacuated. A Reconciliation Center medical station is set up. Military police provide security.
Not only residents of East Ghouta suffer from the hands of the militants but other Damascus regions near to the de-escalation zone. In this school, children study under daily mortar fire.
"We're very scared, explosions happen all the time at home and in school. I even cry sometimes".
A temporary accommodation facility is deployed in et-Dayr for civilians who’re able to leave the eastern suburb of Damascus. At any time it’s ready to accept thousands of people, provide them with food and medical assistance.
Alexander Churbanov, the military police officer: "The military police personnel provide for security of transportation of the locals who will be transported from East Ghouta."
Syrian military didn't respond to the militants' provocation. Tomorrow, the corridor for refugees will reopen.
Mikhail Fedotov, Zatot Agonov, and Igor Vologdin, Vesti, al-Wafideen humanitarian corridor, Syria.