Syrian government forces launched a ground assault on the edge of the rebel-held eastern Ghouta enclave on Wednesday, seeking to gain territory despite a Russian plan for five-hour daily ceasefires, a war monitor and sources on both sides said. Ground assaultWednesday’s ground assault targeted the Hawsh al-Dawahra area at the eastern edge of the rebel-held area. Diplomatic sources have said the chemical weapons watchdog, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, opened an investigation into attacks in eastern Ghouta to determine whether banned munitions were used. Mr Lavrov said militants entrenched in eastern Ghouta were blocking aid and the evacuation of people who want to leave. As Mr Assad has pressed the offensive against eastern Ghouta, Turkey has launched an incursion against Kurdish fighters in the northwestern Afrin region.

Source: The Irish Times February 28, 2018 16:41 UTC