Syrian clashes persist despite ceasefire

Deadly airstrikes persisted Sunday in the Syrian rebel enclave of eastern Ghouta despite a United Nations Security Council resolution adopted Saturday that called for a 30-day cease-fire. Opposition activists reported fighting and two airstrikes in the region shortly after the UN adopted its resolution. “Eastern Ghouta cannot wait, it is high time to stop this hell on earth,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. The unrest continued overnight, and at least 24 people died in the last 24 hours, according to the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who backs Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the conflict, ordered daily “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting, starting Tuesday. Putin promised Assad’s forces would not launch attacks between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. He also pledged to open a route for civilians to safely flee the area. Eastern Ghouta is the final major rebel-held stronghold near Syria’s capital, Damascus. The Observatory said heightened clashes that began Feb. 18 have killed more than 500 people.