Thousands flee rebel-held eastern Ghouta

Now for a look at stories making headlines around the world….and we start in Syria.
Thousands of people in eastern Ghouta have fled the rebel-held enclave, marking the largest exodus from the area since pro-Syrian forces intensified their offensive last month.
For more on this and other international news we turn to Ro Aram…
Aram… civilians have faces several hurdles in their attempt to flee over the past few weeks… are we finally seeing these hurdles come down.

Well Semin… Thursday saw more than 12-thousand eastern Ghouta residents flee, which is some progress.
Images on state media show women and children crossing on foot and in pickup trucks, carrying blankets and bags.
On the same day, a 25-truck aid convoy also made its way into the enclave.
But there is still some way to go, as the International Committee of the Red Cross said that was just a fraction of what was needed.
It said nearly 400-thousand people are still facing severe shortages in food and medical supplies.
Also, pro-government bombardment on eastern Ghouta is ongoing, so it remains to be seen if evacuations or aid delivery can continue to reach the numbers it did on Thursday.
A UN resolution for a 30-day ceasefire has fallen through, though Syria's ally Russia claims an extension of its daily five-hour truce enabled Thursday's exodus.
Meanwhile, a UN report released Thursday accuses pro-government forces fighting in Syria's seven-year civil war of using rape as a weapon.
It states they are targeting residents fleeing the conflict and carrying out other human rights violations, including torture and arbitrary executions.
These abuses are said to have started since the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.