Airstrikes hit Syrian neighborhood
First responders search for survivors after airstrikes hit a rebel-held suburb Monday near Damascus, Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says waves of airstrikes hit at least five neighborhoods in the eastern suburb of Ghouta, the only remaining rebel stronghold near the capital.
BEIRUT — Stepped up airstrikes by Syrian government forces and their Russian allies on the country’s last remaining rebel strongholds killed at least 28 civilians on Monday.
The escalating offensive, which included a suspected chlorine attack a day earlier, reached a new ferocity after insurgents downed a Russian Su-25 over the weekend.
Activists and rescue workers reported at least 28 civilians, including six children, were killed on Monday in Ghouta, where nearly 40 airstrikes hit the suburb that is the last opposition stronghold in Damascus.
Also on Monday, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley accused Russia of protecting Syrian President Bashar Assad from responsibility for what she said were multiple chlorine gas attacks on civilians in recent weeks.
Haley told the United Nations Security Council that Russia has delayed adoption of a council statement condemning the use of chemical weapons, including a reported chlorine gas attack Thursday in Ghouta that injured over 20 civilians, including children.
Haley said the Assad regime must immediately stop using chemical weapons.
“Our goal must be to end the use of these evil, unjustifiable weapons,” she said. “We cannot hope to end the use of chemical weapons if those who use them escape the consequences of their action.”