Assad Bombs Damascus Suburb Douma Again

The Syrian government bombed Douma, a suburb of Damascus, for the second time since Sunday, when airstrikes are estimated to have killed more than 100 people.

The second round of airstrikes came just “hours after the United Nations condemned airstrikes carried out on Sunday,” reports the Guardian.

“Yesterday’s airstrikes, following its other recent market bombings and attacks on medical facilities, demonstrate the regime’s disregard for human life,” U.S. state department spokesperson John Kirby said.

Sunday’s attack – which targeted a marketplace in Douma – was intended to strike the armed opposition group Jaysh al-Islam, according to Syrian state media.

Rebels Still Fighting ISIS in Aleppo Province

Syrian rebel groups have evicted ISIS fighters from a gas factory during battles in Aleppo-area villages situated against the Turkish border.

Fighting was heavy in the villages of Marea and Azaz, Al Jazeera reports, adding that control of the area provides a key supply route from Turkey to rebels.

Rebel groups were able to fend off ISIS advances, which came just days after groups like Ahrar al-Sham and the Levant Front announced a major military offensive against ISIS in towns on the Turkish border.

U.N. Signs Off on Syria Peace Statement

The United Nations Security Council has approved a statement calling for “preparatory talks on key issues to restore peace,” the Associated Press reports. All 15 council members approved the text of the statement unanimously.

The statement comes at a time of increased diplomatic activity, including Russia hosting Syrian rebel groups and the Saudi Arabian foreign minister.

Last week Iran’s foreign minister, Javad Zarif, visited Syria and met with President Bashar al-Assad. A new Iranian peace plan is based on “respect for the Syrian people’s legitimate right to reforms and to decide their own future,” according to the foreign ministry’s spokesperson.

Recommended Reads

• CNN: Syrian Rebels: This is What Almost $1m of U.S. Training Looks Like
• Hurriyet: Conquering Aleppo?
• The New York Times: U.N. Finding Its Voice on Syria’s ‘Transition’
• Al-Araby Al-Jadeed: Assad’s Sanctions-Busting Ties to Israeli Business Tycoon
• The Independent: Syrian Defectors Reveal ‘Horror of Life Under Bashar al-Assad’s Regime