Only 2 people flee E. Ghouta despite ceasefire: UN Spox

By Safvan Allahverdi

WASHINGTON (AA) - Only two people fled the area under the accord of the Russian proposal for a five-hours ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta, the UN Spokesman told Anadolu Agency Thursday.

"Two people reportedly exited the besieged enclave under the accord of the Russian proposal for a five hour pause," Stephane Dujarric noted in a response to a question by Anadolu Agency about the recent situation in the Syrian city.

Dujarric said the UN did not involve the negotiations with Russia demanding only a five-hours humanitarian pause, adding that the full implementation of the resolution, asking for 30 days of ceasefire, has to be the only option.

UN Security Council Resolution 2401 was adopted unanimously on Saturday, which calls for a 30-day cease-fire in Eastern Ghouta to allow the delivery of badly-needed humanitarian aid.

However, Russia and the Syrian regime continue shelling the city despite the UN call.

Additionally, Dujarric emphasized that the UN is ready to help those who are in need of humanitarian assistance in Eastern Ghouta when the conditions on the ground permit.

The suburb has been under siege for the last five years and humanitarian access to the area, which is home to 400,000 people, has been completely cut off.

In the past eight months, forces of the Assad regime have intensified their siege of Eastern Ghouta, making it nearly impossible for food or medicine to get into the district and leaving thousands of patients in need of treatment.

According to the White Helmets civil defense agency, regime attacks have killed 389 people in Eastern Ghouta in the past six days.

Syria has been locked in a devastating conflict since early 2011 when the regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected ferocity.

According to UN officials, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict to date.

*Contributed by Betul Yuruk from New York