UN Secretary General António Guterres, federal government and French President Emmanuel Macron have called for a fire break in Syrian rebel area of Ostghuta. Guterres called for immediate suspension of "all acts of war" in area near Damascus. There were 400,000 people living "in Hell on earth," he said. The federal government demanded that "massacre be terminated immediately". The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Raad al-Hussein spoke of "monstrous annihilation" in area.

With a fire break, it should be possible to provide humanitarian aid to those in need and to take away about 700 people who urgently need medical treatment, Guterres said to World Security Council. "This is a human tragedy that is developing before our eyes, and I do not think that we can keep things going in this horrible way." He welcomed fact that Sweden and Kuwait are drafting a resolution for Security Council calling for a 30-day fire break.

Russia demanded a public meeting of UN Security Council for Thursday. This is necessary so that "all parties can carry out ir visions, ir knowledge of this situation," said Russian ambassador Vasily Nebensja. In addition, we should look for ways "to get out of this situation".

According to Syrian Centre for Human Rights, which is close to opposition, Russian fighter planes are also participating in attacks. The Moscow government, a close ally of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, rejects this.

Since Sunday evening, according to Observatory, at least 260 people have been killed in air raids by government, among m many children. More than 1,500 people were injured. The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) stated that injured were only dying because y could not be treated in time.

The situation in Syria Source: IHS Conflict Monitor, New York Times. Last update: February 5, 2018. Graphic: Matthias Holz/Time online

Macron said that a ceasefire should allow "as soon as possible" departure of civilians and humanitarian aid. A UN resolution should be adopted immediately.

"Many injured must be treated on ground"

Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad seems determined to recapture rebel-held Ostghuta. State media have announced a large-scale ground offensive for near future. The region at eastern of Damascus has been under siege since 2013. The humanitarian situation is catastrophic, many people suffer from hunger, re is hardly any medication. In continuing functioning clinics, re are no beds, many injured people have to be treated on ground, doctors operate around clock.

The International Committee of Red Cross demanded access to rebel enclave. The aid organization SOS Children's Villages, on or hand, announced that it would withdraw from Ostghuta into safer parts of country.

Date Of Update: 22 February 2018, 12:03