Syria: Army increases shelling/air strikes on rebel enclaves in Damascus August 7 /update 1

Event

The Syrian army stepped up its shelling of the last rebel-held enclaves in Damascus on Monday, August 7, representing the heaviest bombardment of opposition-controlled neighborhoods in the last two months. Elite units of the Syrian army shelled the opposition-held Jobar district from the Qaysoun Heights area, which overlooks Damascus. This escalation tests the Russian-brokered ceasefire announced two weeks ago in the Eastern Ghouta area east of Damascus, and has killed at least 15 civilians with many more wounded in three days of a sustained barrage. Syrian government forces has also shelled Zamalka, Harasta, and Kafr Btna in Eastern Ghouta. Additionally, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that at least 20 army soldiers were either killed, wounded, or taken prisoner by opposition forces August 6-7.

Context

Syria is enmeshed in a complex civil war that started between the Assad government and opposition forces in March 2011. Today, the conflict in Syria involves many parties, including the Syrian government, the Russian government, the Iranian government, the Turkish government, a United States-led coalition, and numerous armed groups on the ground (including the Islamic State) with competing goals. Multiple rounds of negotiations to establish a political solution to the civil war have taken place in Geneva. More recently, Russia-initiated rounds of peace talks have taken place in Astana but do not include a US delegation as an active participant.

Advice

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