Suspected chemical attack in Syria’s Ghouta kills dozens
‘FABRICATED CLAIMS’ President Assad’s forces and allies Russia, Iran deny any such strike took place
BEIRUT/WASHINGTON: An alleged gas attack killed at least 40 people in the eastern suburbs of Damascus, local responders said on Sunday. Syrian state media, meanwhile, reported that rebels there have agreed to give up their last foothold in the area.
First responders and a relief organisation said they found families suffocated in their homes and shelters in Douma, with foam on their mouths.
They did not identify the substance used, but the Syrian Civil Defence and the Syrian American Medical Society said survivors treated at clinics smelled strongly of chlorine.
The reports, which started circulating late on Saturday, could not be independently verified, and the government denied allegations it had used chemical weapon in its assault on the town.
Meanwhile, state news agency SANA said the Army of Islam group agreed to leave Douma on Sunday, after three days of intensive government shelling and bombardment. SANA said buses had been sent to the town to pick up prisoners released by the militants and to transport rebel fighters to opposition-held territory in north Syria.
Late on Saturday, first responders reported they were treating residents for poison gas exposure. The Syrian Civil Defence documented 42 fatalities but was impeded from searching further by strong odours that gave their rescuers difficulties breathing, said a spokesman for the group, which is known as the White Helmets.
A joint statement by the Civil Defence and the Syrian American Medical Society, a relief organisation, said that more than 500 people, mostly women and children, were brought to medical centres with difficulty breathing, foaming at the mouth, and burning sensations in the eyes. It said patients gave off a chlorine-like smell. Some had bluish skin, a sign of oxygen deprivation.
It said the symptoms were consistent with chemical exposure.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 80 peo- ple were killed in Douma on Saturday, including around 40 who died from suffocation. But it said the suffocations were the result of shelters collapsing on people inside them.
Russia denied any involvement in the alleged gas attack. Maj Gen Yuri Yevtushenko was quoted by Russian news agencies on Sunday as saying Moscow was prepared to send specialists to Douma to “confirm the fabricated nature” of the reports.
Iran condemned the allegations as a “conspiracy” against its ally President Bashar al-assad and a pretext for military action.
US President Donald Trump lashed out at Assad, Russia and Iran, tweeting: “Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria... President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price to pay.”
Asked whether the US could again respond with a missile strike, White House homeland security adviser Tom Bossert told ABC television: “I wouldn’t take anything off the table.”