US 'deeply concerned' over growing violence in Syria

WASHINGTON, Feb 20 (KUNA) -- The US expressed deep concern on Tuesday over escalating violence in the Damascus suburb of east Ghouta, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert announced.
Recent reports indicate airstrikes directly targeted hospitals and have left little civilian infrastructure, resulting in more than 100 civilian deaths in less than 48 hours, she told reporters.
"The Assad regime's siege and starve tactics are adding to the humanitarian disaster there. The horrors of east Aleppo are being repeated in east Ghouta, with the ongoing slaughter of trapped civilians and woefully inadequate access for humanitarian actors," Nauert stressed.
This escalation increases the number of individuals who require medical evacuation which was already around 1,000.
The US expressed appreciation to the medical workers and first responders in east Ghouta.
"We call on all parties to commit to the unconditional de-escalation of violence. Russia must end its support of the Assad regime and its allies. They are responsible for the attacks, for the dire humanitarian situation in east Ghouta and for the horrendous civilian death toll," said Nauert. (end) ak.ibi