Syrian government launches assault on rebel-held Douma
Syrian Republican Guard forces pushed into the last rebel-held area of the eastern Ghouta near Damascus on Friday, state TV reported, where a war monitor said heavy air strikes killed at least 32 people including five children.
State TV footage showed clouds of dark smoke rising from the targeted area, the town of Douma, where the Jaish al-Islam rebel group is holding out after insurgents in other parts of eastern Ghouta accepted safe passage to other rebel areas.
The conquest of Douma would seal President Bashar al-Assad's biggest victory over the rebellion since 2016, and underline his unassailable position in the conflict that mushroomed out of protests against his rule seven years ago.
The military spokesman for Jaish al-Islam posted a photo on his Telegram messaging account showing him leaning over a map with the group's commander "inspecting fortification and reinforcement plans for the frontlines in Douma"
