UN: Nearly 350 killed in Ghouta since February 4
The UN human rights office says at least 346 people have been killed in Damascus' opposition-controlled eastern Ghouta suburb since the Syrian government and its allies escalated their offensive on the region in February 4.
In a statement on Wednesday, it says another 878 have been wounded, mostly in airstrikes hitting residential areas. Ninety-two of these civilian deaths allegedly occurred in just one 13-hour period on Monday.
It says the numbers are far from comprehensive, documented in the midst of the chaos and destruction.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. He said overwhelmed medical facilities have been repeatedly hit, meaning hundreds of people with extremely severe injuries face a slow and painful death.
