This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-43285298

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Syria war: Aid enters Eastern Ghouta despite air strikes Syria war: Aid enters Eastern Ghouta despite air strikes
(35 minutes later)
An aid convoy of lorries carrying urgently needed humanitarian supplies has begun entering the rebel-held Syrian area of the Eastern Ghouta.An aid convoy of lorries carrying urgently needed humanitarian supplies has begun entering the rebel-held Syrian area of the Eastern Ghouta.
The 46 trucks will be the first to reach the besieged enclave since mid-February, despite a recent UN-backed ceasefire and short, daily truces ordered by Russia.The 46 trucks will be the first to reach the besieged enclave since mid-February, despite a recent UN-backed ceasefire and short, daily truces ordered by Russia.
At least 719 people have been killed in that period, many of them children.At least 719 people have been killed in that period, many of them children.
Fourteen civilians died in government air strikes overnight, activists say.Fourteen civilians died in government air strikes overnight, activists say.
Another 5,640 people have been injured in the Eastern Ghouta, an agricultural region east of the capital Damascus, according to a local opposition-run health directorate.Another 5,640 people have been injured in the Eastern Ghouta, an agricultural region east of the capital Damascus, according to a local opposition-run health directorate.
If the convoy of trucks are able to deliver their food and aid supplies to the 27,500 people it is supposed to, despite nearby shelling, it would be a "significant beginning", according to the BBC's Jeremy Bowen.If the convoy of trucks are able to deliver their food and aid supplies to the 27,500 people it is supposed to, despite nearby shelling, it would be a "significant beginning", according to the BBC's Jeremy Bowen.
A World Health Organization official told Reuters that Syrian government officials had removed 70% of the supplies, which included surgical materials and trauma kits, from the trucks before they had left warehouses. This is believed to be part of the government's efforts to ensure rebels are not treated.A World Health Organization official told Reuters that Syrian government officials had removed 70% of the supplies, which included surgical materials and trauma kits, from the trucks before they had left warehouses. This is believed to be part of the government's efforts to ensure rebels are not treated.
The Syrian regime and its allied forces have reclaimed a third of the rebel enclave in the Eastern Ghouta in a matter of days. The region had been under the control of Islamist and jihadist groups since the civil war began in 2012. The Syrian government and its allied forces have reclaimed a third of the rebel enclave in the Eastern Ghouta in a matter of days, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which has a network of sources on the ground. The region had been under the control of Islamist and jihadist groups since the civil war began in 2012.
President Bashar al-Assad said on state television on Sunday that the offensive against "terrorism" should continue, and he dismissed dire assessments of the humanitarian situation in the enclave as ridiculous lies. President Bashar al-Assad said on state television on Sunday that the offensive against "terrorism" should continue, and he dismissed dire assessments of the humanitarian situation in the enclave as "ridiculous lies".
He said he supported a Russian-sponsored daily truce of five hours, to allow "the majority of those in Eastern Ghouta" to escape the areas under the control of "terrorists".He said he supported a Russian-sponsored daily truce of five hours, to allow "the majority of those in Eastern Ghouta" to escape the areas under the control of "terrorists".
The US has condemned the government assault and said Russia, a key ally of Damascus, is killing innocent civilians.The US has condemned the government assault and said Russia, a key ally of Damascus, is killing innocent civilians.
How bad is the humanitarian situation?How bad is the humanitarian situation?
Neither the daily pause ordered by the Russians - Syria's main backers - nor the ordering of a nationwide ceasefire by the UN Security Council have led to any humanitarian relief for the enclave.Neither the daily pause ordered by the Russians - Syria's main backers - nor the ordering of a nationwide ceasefire by the UN Security Council have led to any humanitarian relief for the enclave.
The UN says that the "collective punishment of civilians is simply unacceptable".The UN says that the "collective punishment of civilians is simply unacceptable".
"Instead of a much-needed reprieve, we continue to see more fighting, more death, and more disturbing reports of hunger and hospitals being bombed," UN regional humanitarian co-ordinator Panos Moumtzis said on Sunday."Instead of a much-needed reprieve, we continue to see more fighting, more death, and more disturbing reports of hunger and hospitals being bombed," UN regional humanitarian co-ordinator Panos Moumtzis said on Sunday.
Some 393,000 people are trapped in the besieged enclave.Some 393,000 people are trapped in the besieged enclave.
Where are people fleeing to?Where are people fleeing to?
Opposition sources and journalists on the ground say that hundreds of people have been fleeing the bombardment of Beit Sawa, south of Douma, and on the eastern edge of the densely populated centre of the Eastern Ghouta. The enclave is an agricultural region about the size of Manchester in the UK.Opposition sources and journalists on the ground say that hundreds of people have been fleeing the bombardment of Beit Sawa, south of Douma, and on the eastern edge of the densely populated centre of the Eastern Ghouta. The enclave is an agricultural region about the size of Manchester in the UK.
Residents, many of them women and children, are reported to have fled into the centre of the enclave to seek shelter. Fighting has intensified in Beit Sawa between government forces and the Islamist faction Jaysh al-Islam.Residents, many of them women and children, are reported to have fled into the centre of the enclave to seek shelter. Fighting has intensified in Beit Sawa between government forces and the Islamist faction Jaysh al-Islam.
The Eastern Ghouta is dominated by Jaysh al-Islam. But Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist alliance led by al-Qaeda's former affiliate in Syria, also has a presence there.The Eastern Ghouta is dominated by Jaysh al-Islam. But Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist alliance led by al-Qaeda's former affiliate in Syria, also has a presence there.
A resident speaking to the BBC described the situation in the Eastern Ghouta as "beyond critical".A resident speaking to the BBC described the situation in the Eastern Ghouta as "beyond critical".
What is the Syrian government's aim?What is the Syrian government's aim?
Several reports suggest government forces are attempting to cut the region in two.Several reports suggest government forces are attempting to cut the region in two.
Syrian state media say the army has advanced on several fronts, and has taken control of villages and farms while attacking from the eastern side of the enclave.Syrian state media say the army has advanced on several fronts, and has taken control of villages and farms while attacking from the eastern side of the enclave.
The Syrian Observatory said regime forces were 3km (two miles) from Douma. The SOHR said government forces were 3km (two miles) from Douma.
The military has been accused of targeting civilians, but it says it is trying to liberate the region, one of the last rebel strongholds, from those it terms terrorists.The military has been accused of targeting civilians, but it says it is trying to liberate the region, one of the last rebel strongholds, from those it terms terrorists.
US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Theresa May agreed in a phone call on Sunday that Syria and its Russian backers bore responsibility for the "heart-breaking human suffering", Downing Street said.US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Theresa May agreed in a phone call on Sunday that Syria and its Russian backers bore responsibility for the "heart-breaking human suffering", Downing Street said.
The leaders agreed that Russia must act now to persuade the Syrian government to stop the bombing.The leaders agreed that Russia must act now to persuade the Syrian government to stop the bombing.