Syrian regime retakes four villages on strategic plain

“Douma is one of the largest suburbs of Damascus and has been held by rebels since the early days of Syria’s conflict, which began in March 2011 with mostly peaceful protests but escalated into a full-scale civil war after a massive government crackdown”, notes AP.

De Mistura said Sunday’s attacks underscored the need to resume political dialogue to end the conflict that has claimed more than 240,000 lives.

It proposes four working groups with members from the government and opposition to discuss safety and protection, counterterrorism, political and legal issues and reconstruction.

The peace process includes “the establishment of an inclusive transitional governing body with full executive powers, which shall be formed on the basis of mutual consent while ensuring continuity of governmental institutions”.

All are seeking a way to break an impasse politically though many key differences remain, especially those over the future of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria.

The approval of the statement was held up by Venezuela, which was expected, over its reference to political transition.

Douma is located in the Syrian rebel stronghold of Eastern Ghouta and is a regular target of government air strikes.

“Yesterday’s air strikes, following its other recent market bombings and attacks on medical facilities, demonstrate the regime’s disregard for human life”, State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement on Monday.

In this regard, the UN’s most powerful body urged all parties to “engage in good faith in the efforts of the special envoy, through his good offices, and to continue consultations and thematic discussions”, said the statement.

The deadly airstrikes which targeted civilians in a crowded market in Douma, Syria, has earned widespread condemnation from the global community.

An AFP photographer on Sunday described the attack as the worst he had covered in the town. “Gravediggers have had to create a mass grave that is four layers deep to accommodate the dead”.

Islam Army, one of the most powerful rebel groups in the eastern Damascus region, launched an attack on government positions in Harasta on Saturday.

He’s also condemned Syrian air strikes that have killed almost 100 people outside the capital during his visit.

The opposition National Coalition accused the government of “deliberately” targeting civilians in Douma.

With the West busy in fighting off ISIS terrorists in Iraq over the past year, it turns out Assad had allegedly been killing thousands of people in his country.