Syrian government forces walk along a ruined road in Eastern Ghouta Syrian government forces walk along a ruined road in Eastern Ghouta 

Syrian rebels say children killed in airstrike

At least 15 children have reportedly been killed in Syria after an air-strike in Eastern Ghouta destroyed an underground school where they were taking shelter.

By Nathan Morley

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims three missiles have hit an underground school in Arbin, killing 17 civilians and wounding 50 others.

The report could not be verified, but Syrian Opposition Forces uploaded a photo to Twitter, which it claimed showed the destroyed school. Their tweet said the strike was carried out by Russian aircraft.

The United Nations says around 25,000 people have left Eastern Ghouta on a daily basis since March 11th. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, there has been no let up in the ongoing offensive by forces loyal to President Assad.

Prior to the conflict, Easten Ghouta was home to about two million people but the eight-year long war has since reduced the population to about 400,000.

Separately, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to expand his military operations in Syria.

Mr. Erdogan said Manbij and Kobani would be targeted. Turkish-led forces' captured the Syrian town of Afrin at the weekend. Nearly 100,000 people have been displaced by hostilities in Afrin district, according to the UN.

“These civilians are facing harrowing humanitarian conditions,” Ali Al-Za’tari, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria said.

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20 March 2018, 16:22