Syria: Continued airstrikes south of Damascus April 22

Event

Syrian government forces reportedly bombarded an enclave held by extremist militants in the Yarmouk and Al-Hajar Al-Aswad areas, just south of the capital Damascus, on Sunday, April 22. The area hit - controlled by members of the Islamic State (IS) and Nusra Front groups - is located in the Eastern Ghouta region near territory held by various other rebel groups.

This follows a truce brokered between IS militants and government officials that stipulated that the 1200 IS fighters present in the area would be transferred to regions of eastern Syria still under IS control.

Context

Though IS lost much of its territory in Syria and Iraq in 2017, the group still clings to some areas on the eastern side of the Euphrates River, as well as to desert areas along the Iraq-Syria border in Deir Al-Zor and Hasaka provinces.

Syrian government forces, backed by Russia and Iran, have been waging an assault on Eastern Ghouta, one of the last opposition-controlled strongholds. An alleged chemical attack was carried out by the Syrian government in the region in Douma on April 7, killing at least 70 and wounding hundreds more. Syria and Russia have denied that chemical weapons were used.

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.