Orient Net, March 13, 2018 — Assad regime ongoing assault, supported by Russian air force, on the opposition-held eastern Ghouta killed 21 civilians on Monday (Mar. 12) and injured several others.

At least 2 civilians were killed in Shifoniyah, 3 in Arbin, 5 in Harasta, 10 in Zamalka, and 1 in Jisreen, according to Orient News correspondent.

In Zamalka, several civilians were killed, and dozens were wounded as 7 Russian airstrikes and a rocket loaded with cluster bombs hit residential areas in the city, according to Syria Civil Defence Twitter account.

The White Helmets also reported multiple Russian airstrikes on civilian areas in Arbin city and barrel bombs dropped by regime militias.

The assault began three weeks ago with one of the fiercest bombardments of the war, as Assad and Russian war planes, helicopters and artillery rained down a near-constant stream of missiles, bombs, rockets and shells.

Eastern Ghouta, a rural area near the capital Damascus, has been besieged since 2013 where dire shortages of food and medicine have caused severe malnutrition and ravaging illness.