66 killed after Syrian regime bombs rebel stronghold

As many as 66 people were killed in the Syrian government’s airstrikes on rebel areas in eastern Ghouta, near Damascus, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The attack yesterday came after rebels fired dozens of mortar rounds at the capital, the London based group said.

The group’s director Rami Abdul-Rahman said the victims included at least 12 children.

Damascus and its Ghouta witnessed violent clashes yesterday as the regime forces carried out more than 60 raids on rebel sites.

Meanwhile, rebels group Army of Islam launched more than 120 rocket-propelled grenades in several neighbourhoods in Damascus killing 10 people including a child, and injuring 50 others, the group said.

The University of Damascus was closed following the attacks and people were ordered to stay home.