Johnson demands response to reported poison gas attack

Strike on town is thought to have claimed at least 40 lives

Boris Johnson has said the international community must respond to reports of a poison gas attack in Syria which is thought to have claimed at least 40 lives.

The Foreign Secretary demanded an urgent investigation and warned Syrian leader Bashar Assad’s allies in Moscow not to “obstruct” the probe.

US President Donald Trump, who authorised missile strikes on Syria after a chemical weapons attack last year, warned there would be a “big price to pay” following the latest incident.

Both the UK and US highlighted Russian and Iranian support for the Assad regime in their responses to the reported atrocity.

President Trump said in a tweet yesterday that the “area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world.”

He said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran “are responsible for backing Animal Assad”.

President Trump is calling for the area to be opened “immediately for medical help and verification.

Mr Johnson said the UK was “in close touch with our allies” following the latest reports and called for those responsible to be “held to account”.

The alleged attack in the town of Douma occurred late on Saturday amid a resumed offensive by Syrian government forces after the collapse of a truce with the Army of Islam rebel group.

Syrian opposition activists and rescuers said poison gas was used on the rebel-held town near the capital – an allegation strongly denied by the Assad government.

Families were reportedly found suffocated in their homes and shelters, with foam on their mouths.

Reports said 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.

Mr Johnson said: “Reports of a large scale chemical weapons attack in Douma on Saturday causing high numbers of casualties are deeply disturbing.

“It is truly horrific to think that many of the victims were reportedly families seeking refuge from air strikes in underground shelters.

“Despite Russia’s promise in 2013 to ensure Syria would abandon all of its chemical weapons, international investigators mandated by the UN Security Council have found the Assad regime responsible for using poison gas in at least four separate attacks since 2014.

“These latest reports must urgently be investigated and the international community must respond.”

“It is truly horrific to think that many of the victims were reportedly families seeking refuge from air strikes. BORIS JOHNSON

Picture: Getty. Syrian children receive medical treatment after the alleged attack on Douma.