Syria war: Dozens of civilians killed in Eastern Ghouta strikes

Bombardments by Syrian government forces have killed dozens of civilians in the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta area outside Damascus, activists say.

At least 77 civilians, including 20 children, were killed in air strikes and rocket fire on Monday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The army is believed to be preparing a ground offensive.

Urging a halt to the bombardment, a UN official said the situation was spiralling out of control.

Almost 400,000 people live in the Eastern Ghouta, which has been under siege since 2013.

BBC