By Mohamad Misto and Ayse Dogru

EASTERN GHOUTA, Syria / ANKARA (AA): At least 59 civilians were killed by the Assad Government and its supporters in the besieged Eastern Ghouta region on Tuesday, Syrian rebel Civil Defense sources said.

Syrian ground and air assaults continued in the opposition rebel-held area near the capital Damascus despite separate UN and Russia cease-fires.

Sources from Syrian rebel Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, said that 59 civilians were killed in bombardments, including three civilians in the town of Harasta and 56 others in the Duma district.

The officials said more casualties are feared as some areas are unreachable due to the intense attacks.

At least 150 civilians have been killed by Government attacks in the last five days.

Since Feb. 19, nearly 1,000 people have been killed in Eastern Ghouta  according to the rebels, and the death toll is expected to rise further as attacks by the regime remain ongoing.

Home to some 400,000 people, Eastern Ghouta has been under a crippling siege for the last five years.

[Photo:  Smoke rises after Assad Govt forces carried out airstrikes in Eastern Ghouta’s Douma town in Damascus, Syria on March 20, 2018. Photographer: Mouneb Abu Taim/AA]