The death toll is now nearing 100 in the Damascus suburb of Douma after a gas attack that is being blamed on the Syrian government. Disturbing photos and videos from Syria are reaching the west. They show civilians, many of them children, who have suffocated from the chemicals.
From The New York Times:
- Medical and rescue groups blamed President Bashar al-Assad’s government for the assault on the suburb east of the capital, Damascus, after dusk on Saturday.
- Douma is the last remaining town still controlled by rebels in the area, and the Syrian government has vowed to retake it. Many of the remaining residents have sought safety in basements, which could have made them more vulnerable to poisonous gases.
From The Washington Post:
- The Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, reported finding entire families suffocated in their homes and in neighboring shelters. It was not possible to independently confirm those claims.
Meanwhile, the State Department said Russia “ultimately bears responsibility for these attacks.”
By shielding #Syria, #Russia has breached its commitments to the @UN, betrayed UNSCR 2118 & ultimately bears responsibility for these brutal attacks. We call on Russia to end this unmitigated support and work with the international community to prevent further chemical attacks.
— Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) April 8, 2018
This morning, Donald Trump condemned the attack, calling out Putin by name.
Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018
….to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018
WE MUST WARN YOU THAT THE VIDEO ABOVE CONTAINS DISTURBING CONTENT. Via Al Jazeera.