Eastern Ghouta: What is happening and why | Syria News

• Siege: Eastern Ghouta has been under siege by the Syrian government since 2013, and is the last rebel stronghold near the capital.

• De-escalation zone: Turkey, Russia and Iran agreed in 2017 to designate Eastern Ghouta a “de-escalation zone”, in which Syrian and Russian fighter jets were expected not to fly.

• Relentless bombing: On Sunday, February 19, Syrian government forces backed by Russian warplanes escalated the offensive on Eastern Ghouta with a relentless bombing that killed hundreds of people within days. Amnesty International said it amounted to war crimes.

• UN resolution: On February 24, the UN Security Council – including Russia – voted in favour of a resolution calling for a 30-day ceasefire that excludes operations against said “terrorists” groups.

• Members from one of the excluded groups, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (formerly known as al-Nusra Front) were present in Eastern Ghouta, and were reportedly evacuated on Friday, March 9.

• Other rebel groups including Jaish al-Islam, Faylaq al-Rahman and Ahrar al-Sham addressed the UN with a letter saying that they support the expulsion of the Jabhat group from Ghouta.

• Ground offensive: On February 25, Syrian government forces launched a ground offensive targetting areas on the edges of Eastern Ghouta to enable their ground forces to advance.

• By March 10, the Syrian government forces have captured the largest town in Eastern Ghouta, and have effectively split the enclave in three parts.

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