syria-un-20180123 3

S/2018/60 18-00842 3/20 4 May, Iran (Islamic Republic of), the Russian Federation and Turkey, agreed on two documents: an agreement to form a working group on the release of detainees/abductees, the handover of bodies and the identification of missing persons; and a joint statement on humanitarian mine action. The Astana guarantors also issued a joint statement that expressed support for the convening of a Syrian national dialogue congress in Sochi, Russian Federation, describing it as an initiative to complement United Nations intra-Syrian talks in Geneva. 5. During the reporting period, military activity in parts of the country had a significant impact on the humanitarian situation, causing further damage to civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and schools and affecting the ability of United Nations agencies and their partners to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance. At the same time, in areas where local agreements had been reached between the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and non-State armed opposition groups, relative calm was reported. Military activities, including air strikes, continued in Aleppo, Dayr al-Zawr, Idlib, Hama, Rif Dimashq and other governorates. 6. The humanitarian situation continued to deteriorate for the estimated 393,000 people living in besieged eastern Ghutah, in Rif Dimashq. Daily shelling on several areas of eastern Ghutah, including Harasta, Nashabiyah, Duma, Ayn Tarma, Irbin, Zamalka, Saqba, Misraba and Bayt Nayim, resulted in civilian deaths and internal displacement within the besieged area. Schools were closed in eastern Ghutah as a result of the level of the hostilities. The prices for basic goods decreased owing to sporadic commercial access to the area, but remained some 30 times higher than in neighbouring Damascus city, far beyond the purchasing power of most residents of eastern Ghutah. The humanitarian situation inside the besieged enclave was further compounded by the inability of United Nations humanitarian convoys to reach the besieged area during the month. Residential neighbourhoods of Damascus city were also reportedly attacked from eastern Ghutah during the reporting period, resulting in death, injury and material damage. 7. From 26 to 28 December, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the International Committee of the Red Cross evacuated 29 urgent medical cases from eastern Ghutah, together with 56 family members. Evacuees were taken to hospitals in Damascus for treatment. Under an agreement reportedly reached between the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the Army of Islam, the latter was to release captives. The United Nations was not party to the agreement or the negotiations. While the United Nations takes note of the medical evacuation of 29 cases, hundreds of other individuals inside eastern Ghutah continue to wait for their medical evacuations. Furthermore, some 18 people — including 4 children — are reported to have died without receiving required medical care over the past two months. 8. The besieged enclave of Bayt Jinn in Rif Dimashq, including the towns of Bayt Jinn, Mazra‘at Bayt Jinn and Mughr al-Mir, has an estimated population of 3,646. In late December, following a period of prolonged siege and intensified military attacks, including air strikes, a local agreement was reached between the non-State armed opposition groups and the Syrian authorities in the area. On 30 December, 10 buses left the area, carrying 270 fighters and civilians, for Dar‘a and Idlib Governorates. The United Nations was not a party to the agreement or the negotiations leading up to it