The Russian Defence Ministry said the Syrian regime flag was flying on Thursday in the town of Douma, signalling that government forces had taken full control over Eastern Ghouta.
“Today a significant event in the history of Syria took place. The raising of a regime flag over a building in the town of Douma signified control over this town and consequently over Eastern Ghouta as a whole,” Major General Yury Yevtushenko, head of the Russian military’s centre for reconciliation in Syria, was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency. The Syrian government itself has yet to officially announce it has fully retaken Douma.