Syria hits back over attack claims

INTERNATIONAL ACTION DEMANDED

Syria’s regime and Russia hit back yesterday at accusations that Damascus was behind a deadly chemical weapons attack, as pressure built for international action over what Washington called an “affront to humanity”.

France said it was determined to pursue a UN Security Council resolution to investigate dozens of civilian deaths in a northwestern Syria town, which Turkey blamed on a “chemical attack” by the Damascus government.

At least 86 people were killed early on Tuesday in rebel-held Khan Sheikhun and dozens more have received treatment for convulsions, breathing problems and foaming at the mouth.

World powers have pointed the finger at the government of Bashar al-Assad, but Foreign Minister Walid Muallem repeated the government’s denial yesterday.

“The Syrian army has not, did not and will not use this kind of weapons – not just against our own people, but even against the terrorists that attack our civilians with their mortar rounds,” he said.

Longtime ally Russia described the events in Khan Sheikhun as a “monstrous crime”, but said there was no “realistic, verified information”.

“Any data that the American side or our colleagues in other countries could have cannot be based on objective materials or evidence,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

At least 32 people were transferred across the border into Turkey for treatment and Ankara said autopsies performed on three people who died in Turkish hospitals confirmed chemical weapons had been used.

“This scientific investigation also confirms that Assad used chemical weapons,” said Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag.

An AFP correspondent in Khan Sheikhun on Wednesday said the town was reeling, with dead animals lying in the streets and residents still shell-shocked after watching entire families die.

“Nineteen members of my family were killed,” 28-year-old Abdulhamid said in the town, surrounded by mourning relatives.

“We put some masks on but it didn’t do anything. People just started falling to the ground,” said Abdulhamid, who lost his twin children and wife in the attack.

After an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Western diplomats are expected to quickly push for a vote on a resolution demanding an investigation of the suspected attack.

French Foreign Minister JeanMarc Ayrault said the resolution, presented by Britain, France and the United States, remained a priority. “These crimes must not go unpunished,” said Ayrault. “It’s difficult because up to now every time we have presented a resolution, there has been a veto by Russia and sometimes by China, but we must cooperate because we need to stop this massacre.” – AFP