Wounded leave Eastern Ghouta under evacuation deal

People in need of medical treatment have been evacuated from the besieged rebel-held Eastern Ghouta area on the outskirts of Syria’s capital, Damascus.

Twenty-five patients and their families are believed to have left via a government checkpoint on Thursday. Another 31 were evacuated on Wednesday as part of an agreement between a rebel group and the government’s ally Russia. More than 1,100 civilians have been killed since pro-government forces stepped up an offensive a month ago. In recent days, dramatic advances by soldiers and militiamen have displaced thousands of civilians and cut the enclave into three pockets. UN Secretary General António Guterres has said that theestimated 390,000 people trapped there are “living in a hell on earth”, forced to shelter from the bombardment in overcrowded basements where access to food, water and sanitation is limited.