REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo has expressed his strong condemnation over the intensive aerial bombardments carried out by the Syrian regime forces in the besieged area of Eastern Ghouta. The attack has resulted in more than 500 civilian deaths and extensive damage to infrastructures, such as hospitals and clinics.

Meanwhile, more than 2.5 thousand civilians have been injured. "I express my deep sorrow for the death and injuries," Soesatyo stated here on Monday.

The speaker urged all parties to comply with the UN Security Council Resolution 2268 of 2018 by ending the bloodshed in Eastern Ghouta. "The United Nations should be able to stop the war, in an effort to allow access to emergency humanitarian aid and medical evacuations," he remarked.

Reuters earlier reported that the fighting has continued in Syria since Saturday's Security Council resolution calling for a 30-day ceasefire. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that it would not apply to the army's battle with "terrorists" in eastern Ghouta.

Babies treated after being exposed to toxic gas at Shifunieh, Eastern Ghouta, Syria, Sunday (Feb 25).

Health authorities in eastern Ghouta have revealed that several people had suffered symptoms consistent with chlorine gas exposure, resulting in the death of one child. Lavrov explained that the allegations, which state that the Syrian government was responsible for any chemical attack, were aimed at sabotaging the truce.

"Eastern Ghouta cannot wait, it is high time we stop this hell on earth," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, calling for implementation of the 30-day ceasefire.

A man and a child receive medical treatment after being exposed to toxic gas at Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria, on Sunday (Feb 25).

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, has steadily clawed back control of areas where his opponents rose up against his rule in 2011. Eastern Ghouta is the last major insurgent stronghold near Damascus, the seat of his power.

Fighting is raging elsewhere in Syria too, as Turkey presses its offensive against a Kurdish militia in Afrin, rival rebel groups fight each other in Idlib, and a US-led coalition targets Islamic State in the east.

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