'No way out' for civilians as 'humanitarian pause' fails in Ghouta

A five-hour truce ordered by Russia to allow civilians to flee a besieged, opposition-held enclave near Syria's capital Damascus has failed to result in aid deliveries or medical evacuations.

The UN and aid agencies criticised the unilateral arrangement for a daily "humanitarian pause" announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying it gave no guarantees of safety for tens of thousands of residents of eastern Ghouta.