UN relief wing concerned over impact of fighting in Syria's eastern Ghouta

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Monday expressed concern over the impact of fighting on civilians in the besieged rebel enclave of eastern Ghouta in Syria, said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Hostilities in East Harasta, Misraba, Modira and Duma have resulted in civilian deaths and injuries and impact many of the nearly 400,000 people trapped inside the area, he told reporters.

In addition to death and injury, shelling reportedly resulted in restricted movement between towns, the suspension of school exams and limited access to local markets, said the spokesman.

At the same time, mortar attacks continued to be reported on eastern neighborhoods in Damascus, causing injuries among civilians and material damage, he said.

"The United Nations reminds all parties of their responsibility to protect civilians and continues to call for safe, unimpeded and sustained access to all people in need, including the millions of people who live in hard-to-reach and besieged areas," said Dujarric. Enditem