Rebels 'on offensive' in Eastern Ghouta: Russia

Rebels in Syria's Eastern Ghouta have gone on the offensive despite attempts to hold a "humanitarian pause", the Russian defence ministry said today. "During the 'humanitarian pause' fighters from armed groups continued attacking the positions of the government forces in the areas of Hazrama and Nashabia settlements and after 1 pm went on the offensive in other directions too," the ministry said in a statement. "These actions were accompanied by intensive artillery fire and small arms fire." Moscow also accused fighters of firing mortar shells at a humanitarian corridor in the area between Harasta and Douma. "Mines exploded 500 metres from a checkpoint," the statement said. Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday ordered a daily "pause" from 9 am to 2 pm to evacuate civilians from the rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta, outside Damascus, following a UN Security Council weekend vote to approve a 30-day truce. The United Nations said earlier today that fighting has raged on in the area making relief operations impossible.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)