Mine event in Syrian Arab Republic on Sun 19th November 2017

TITLE: Syrian government using banned Soviet-era cluster munitions in besieged Eastern Ghouta QUOTED SUMMARY: Syrian government forces have been using banned Soviet-era cluster munitions to carry out indiscriminate attacks on civilians amid a tightening siege in opposition-held Eastern Ghouta, near Damascus, bringing the enclave's humanitarian crisis to breaking point, Amnesty International revealed today. At least ten civilians have been killed in recent cluster munition attacks. A truce was announced in Eastern Ghouta earlier this week, though there have been recent reports of continued shelling from Syrian government forces. Photographs shared by activists in Eastern Ghouta, which have been verified by an Amnesty arms expert, show remnants of cluster munitions from attacks that have taken place in the past ten days, including one on 19 November. The photos show Soviet-made ground-launched 240mm 308 cluster munitions projectiles containing up to ten sub-munitions. According to Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, these first appeared in Syria after Russia began missile strikes against anti-government groups in September 2015. Such weapons are banned by more than 100 countries due to the enormous danger presented to civilians by their indiscriminate nature. ...... [Article continues with quotes from other stakeholders.]