At least 27 people killed as militants attack Syrian capital Damascus

At least 27 people have been killed by militant shelling in the Syrian capital city of Damascus, says the Russian military.

At least 27 people have been killed by militant shelling in the Syrian capital city of Damascus, says the Russian military.

According to the TASS news agency on Tuesday, almost 60 other civilians were also injured in the mortar attacks which originated from Eastern Ghouta.

Holed up inside Eastern Ghouta, foreign-backed militants have been launching indiscriminate mortar and rocket attacks on Damascus, which have resulted in many civilian deaths. They are also using civilians as human shields in the face of army advances. 

The latest developments come amid reports that Syrian government forces have gained control over 90 percent of the Eastern Ghouta region.

Syria has established a humanitarian corridor to allow civilians to leave the operation zone, while Russia has been enforcing daily pauses in fighting to facilitate people’s exit.