Syria: Douma captured by government forces April 12 /update 1

Event

On Thursday, April 12, Russian media sources claimed that Syrian government forces had wrested full control of Douma, a city in the Eastern Ghouta suburban area of Damascus, from Jaysh Al-Islam rebel fighters. Additionally, Russian military police forces have deployed to the area. At least 7500 people, including thousands of Jaysh Al-Islam rebel fighters and members of their families, have fled from the area to northern Syria in the last few days. Jaysh Al-Islam fighters have reportedly relinquished their heavy weapons and the last of the rebels, including the group's leadership, have left Douma.

Context

Syrian government forces bombarded Douma on April 6, marking the end of a temporary ceasefire in the area. At least 32 people died in a coordinated air and ground offensive, which came as Russia-brokered negotiations between the Syrian government and the Jaysh Al-Islam rebel group fizzled. The rebel fighters reportedly surrendered the area following a suspected government-launched chemical weapons attack on April 7; at least 70 people were killed in the attack.

More than 1600 people have been killed and thousands of others wounded since the beginning of the regime and allied forces offensive on the area on February 18. Over 165,000 people have fled Eastern Ghouta since the assault began, and at least 12,000 have left Douma in the last 12 days alone. The Ghouta area was one of the last strongholds of Syrian opposition fighters in the Damascus region.

Advice

Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise against all travel to Syria, with some banning travel to the country. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to any travel to Syria.