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Thousands join first mass flight from Syria's besieged eastern Ghouta as civilian deaths surge

Syrian civilians evacuated from the eastern Ghouta enclave pass with belongings through the regime-controlled corridor opened by government forces in Hawsh al-Ashaari, east of the enclave town of Hamouria on the outskirts of the capital Damascus on Thursday Thousands escaped Syria's rebel-held eastern Ghouta into government-held territory, AFP correspondents on both sides said, the largest numbers since the regime assault on the enclave began. | AFP-JIJI

Reuters

Mar 16, 2018

EASTERN GHOUTA, SYRIA –

Thousands of Syrian civilians fled from a rebel pocket in eastern Ghouta on Thursday, crossing by foot to army positions in the first mass exodus from the besieged enclave since Syrian government forces launched an assault to capture it a month ago.

Men, women and children staggered under the weight of blankets, bags and suitcases as they walked along a dirt road to army lines on the outskirts of Hammouriyeh town. Some wept.

One man carried a baby in a suitcase, the child's head and arms peaking out through the zipper. Others reached government positions in the nearby town of Beit Sawa on wheelchairs.

Thousands join first mass flight from Syria's besieged eastern Ghouta as civilian deaths surge

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