Pictures reveal the aftermath of air strikes by Syria on rebel stronghold

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At least 66 people killed as Syrian regime pound rebel-held city of Douma
Air strikes were in revenge for rebel attack on Damascus that killed 10
Senior military official vows: 'We will hunt them down and destroy them'
More than 200,000 dead since the Syrian conflict began in March 2011
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

Published: 11:31 EST, 7 February 2015 | Updated: 16:17 EST, 7 February 2015

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Covered in blood and with a haunted look of fear in their eyes, the people of Douma are shell-shocked following deadly air strikes that decimated the city.

At least 66 people were killed on Thursday as Syria's regime pounded the rebel stronghold with air strikes after a barrage of opposition fire hit the capital Damascus.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 12 children were among those killed in Douma, which is in the opposition-held Eastern Ghouta region just outside Damascus.

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Shock: An injured Syrian girl is treated at the Syrian Arab Red Crescent medical center following air strikes

Bloodied: This injured man was treated at a field hospital after what activists said was shelling by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad

Bandaged: At least 66 people were killed on Thursday as Syria's regime pounded the rebel stronghold of Douma

More than 60 air strikes battered the city, with locals running for their lives as the bombardment continued.

Photographer Abd Doumany, who took the pictures, said the assault caused chaos and said: 'This is the worst day in Douma in four years.'

He added: 'The situation in the hospitals is very bad. There are shortages of everything.'

He said medics had been wounded in the shelling and terrified residents were forced to hide out in their basements.

Local field hospitals were overwhelmed by arrivals, some of whom lay on the floor to receive treatment.

Chaos: An injured man holds a serum bag for another injured civilian in a field hospital following the deadly attack

Agony: An injured Syrian boy reacts painfully as he is treated at a makeshift hospital following reported air strikes by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad

Desperate: An injured girl is transported to a field hospital after the air strikes on Douma

Douma, in Eastern Ghouta, is a key rebel bastion on the outskirts of Damascus and has been under siege for nearly two years.

Since mid-2012, the government has carried out frequent air raids on rebel-held areas. It is accused by human rights groups of indiscriminately killing both civilians and insurgents.

But an anonymous military official warned: 'If the terrorists think that by shelling Damascus they will ease the pressure on them, they are making a big mistake.

'We will continue to hunt them down and destroy them.'

Syrian government forces attack rebel stronghold, Douma

Bombarded: A young girl is pictured in the shell where her home once was. The air strikes devastated the city, which is a key rebel bastion on the outskirts of Damascus

Ruins: An injured man uses a crutch to walk over rubble and wreckage in Douma. The Syrian government has been accused by human rights groups of indiscriminately killing both civilians and insurgents

Zahran Alloush, the leader of rebel group Jaysh al-Islam (Army of Islam), said they would continue to attack government positions in downtown Damascus.

During the attack on Damascus, a barrage of at least 120 rockets and mortar rounds fired by rebel forces killed 10 people, among them a child.

The assault left usually busy streets of the city deserted and prompted Damascus University to close for the day, sending students home.

Devastated: More than 200,000 people have died in the Syrian conflict, which began with anti-government protests in March 2011 and escalated into a civil war

Decimated: Douma was been targeted by government forces since 2012, and a senior military official vowed there would be no let up as they continue to assault rebel positions

Damaged: Photographer Abd Doumany described the attack as 'the worst day in Douma in four years'

Elsewhere in the country, the Observatory reported that at least 16 members of the Islamic State jihadist group were killed in strikes by the US-led coalition fighting the group.

The strikes in northeastern Hasakeh province hit a building containing a weapons and explosives depot, where secondary explosions were reported.

More than 200,000 people have now died in the Syrian conflict, which began with anti-government protests in March 2011 and escalated into a civil war.