Assad accused of chlorine missile attack
A BESIEGED neighbourhood in Syria appeared yesterday to have suffered a chemical attack – the third in as many weeks – as Bashar al-assad’s regime increases pressure on the last remaining rebel strongholds.
Missiles hit Douma, in the Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta, at 5.30am, reportedly spreading chlorine gas over the area. More than 20 civilians, including children, and a civil defence worker were taken to hospital with breathing difficulties.
Douma local council accused the Assad regime of “the deliberate targeting of populated areas using surface-to-surface missiles loaded with chlorine”.
“Today Douma woke up breathing chlorine in the western neighbourhoods,” said a nurse in the area. “Only the sun can protect us. The international community has abandoned us.”
Firas Abdullah, an opposition activist, posted videos on social media of himself covering his mouth with a scarf as he examined the cases of three missiles. Elliot Higgins, a Uk-based weapons analyst, said the serial numbers indicated they were from the same batch as those used in a Jan 22 attack on the same area.
America has warned the Syrian government there would be “consequences” over its illegal use of chemical weapons. Rex Tillerson, the secretary of state, said last week that Washington had seen evidence of several chemical attacks in recent weeks. But no action has been taken against the regime, despite numerous
‘Today Douma woke up breathing chlorine. Only the sun can protect us.’
United Nations reports pointing to its responsibility.
Almost 400,000 people in Eastern Ghouta have been under siege by the government and allied militia since 2013. It is the last major rebel position near the capital and was the site of the deadliest chemical attack by regime forces, in 2013.
Jan Egeland, United Nations humanitarian adviser, called for a pause in the conflict in Eastern Ghouta, where hundreds await medical evacuation. He said the regime’s approval of aid convoys was at an all-time low, with none in two months.