Airstrikes and mortar attacks have resumed in the rebel-held Syrian enclave of eastern Ghouta, hours into the first daily “humanitarian pause” ordered by the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. The fresh clashes on Tuesday highlight the limits of Russia’s influence over Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, and raise doubts about the sincerity of its effort to limit the violence. Residents and activists said the violence was continuing despite claims that a humanitarian corridor would be opened to allow civilians to escape. “Only the fighter planes have been reduced, but the shelling and land-to-land rockets are continuing,” said Nour Adam, an activist in the area. “None of the families or civilians have come out of the bomb shelters because nobody trusts the regime or the Russians.”(theguardian)…[+]