Syria: Thousands of people flee Eastern Ghouta March 15-16 /update 6

Event

Over 12,000 people fled Eastern Ghouta from Thursday, March 15, into Friday, March 16, amid the ongoing advance of Syrian government forces into the rebel-controlled suburb of Damascus. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, some 1316 people have been killed since the escalation of the government's campaign in the area on February 18. Continued fighting is expected in Eastern Ghouta in the coming days and weeks, despite the recently enacted UN ceasefire that technically remains in effect across the country.

Context

The Syrian government advance has split the opposition-controlled area into three enclaves in recent days, around Douma, Hamouriyah, and Harasta. The Ghouta area is one of the last strongholds of Syrian opposition fighters in the Damascus region. Syrian government forces began to escalate their aerial bombing campaign of Eastern Ghouta on February 18.

According to the UN Security Council, the agreed-upon ceasefire - which entered into force on February 24 - remains in effect across Syria, except in places where armed forces are fighting the Islamic State (IS), Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (Al-Nusra Front), and Al-Qa'ida-allied militants, among other designated terror groups. Despite the official ceasefire, numerous violations have been reported.

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.