A photo of the desperate multitudes in Syria seeking food from UN workers emerged Wednesday, capturing the plight of refugees in the war-torn nation — even as government army troops reportedly killed 175 rebels in an ambush south of Damascus.
The dawn attack Wednesday by President Bashar al-Assad’s forces targeted mostly al Qaeda-linked fighters in the opposition-held area of eastern Ghouta and likely will push rebel groups farther away from Damascus, Assad’s seat of power.
The capital’s suburbs have been opposition strongholds since March 2011, when the revolt against the ruling family began.
If the SANA news agency report is confirmed, it would be one of the deadliest attacks by government forces against rebels in the area.