Assad: offensive in East Ghouta continues

damascus - Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has defended the controversial offensive in East Ghouta. He called the military operation 'a continuation of the fight against terrorism.' The president made it clear that the struggle continues, despite international criticism.

Assad said that citizens are now being given the opportunity to leave the area. He referred to a daily battle break of five hours. It must enable citizens to flee via 'humanitarian corridors. '

The United States called that plan 'a joke. 'A spokeswoman for the US Department of State said that citizens do not dare to use such escape routes. They would fear to be annexed by Assad's Syrian government army or to be killed.

Moscow and Damascus stated earlier that insurgents in East Ghouta shoot the escape route to prevent residents from leaving. The rebels deny that.