Syrian opposition activists say malnutrition and shortages in medicine are increasing the suffering in besieged, rebel-held eastern suburbs of the Syrian capital Damascus, adding that two children have died as a result in the past two months. The activists blame a four-year government siege and greed by local businessmen who hide food and medical products in orders to raise the prices, for the malnutrition mostly among children. The crisis in the suburbs, also known as eastern Ghouta have worsened since May after government forces seized the Qaboun and Barzeh neighborhoods in northeast Damascus. Syrian troops have been marching against IS in eastern Syria under the cover of Russian airstrikes. At the height of the rise of the IS the militants controlled about half of the territory of Syria before their downfall began.

Source: Egypt Independent October 24, 2017 12:11 UTC