Activists and monitors say de-escalation agreements are doing nothing to stop the slaughter of civilians in opposition territory on the outskirts of Damascus, as well as other areas of the country.
Eastern Ghouta's proximity to the capital has made it an obvious target for Syrian government forces and their allies - who have had it under siege for years. The area is controlled by fighters loyal to the Free Syrian Army. Russian and Syrian government air strikes are said to have killed more than 300 people there in just the past two months.
That is despite the fact that Eastern Ghouta is in one of four de-escalation zones set up earlier last year by Russia, Iran, and Turkey.
Al Jazeera's Osama Bin Javaid.
