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There were also reported incidents of chemical weapons use specifically in Douma in January 2018; however, Russia vetoed a potential United Nations mission to investigate. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/23/middleeast/us-russia-un-chemical-weapons-syria/index.html|title=Things got heated between the US and Russia today at the UN|first=Richard Roth,|last=CNN|publisher=|accessdate=9 April 2018}}</ref><ref>[https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-has-no-evidence-of-syrian-use-of-sarin-gas-mattis-says U.S. has no evidence of Syrian use of sarin gas, Mattis says]. PBS, February 2, 2018</ref> Two smaller [[Chlorine gas poisoning|chlorine gas]] attacks have been also reported in the city of Douma one month before&mdash;one on March 7 and another on March 11.<ref name="Arms control">{{cite web |url=https://www.armscontrol.org/taxonomy/term/17 |title=Timeline of Syrian Chemical Weapons Activity, 2012-2018 |publisher=[[Arms Control Association]] |first1=Daryl |last1=Kimball |first2=Kelsey |last2=Davenport |date=April 2018 }}</ref>
There were also reported incidents of chemical weapons use specifically in Douma in January 2018; however, Russia vetoed a potential United Nations mission to investigate. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/23/middleeast/us-russia-un-chemical-weapons-syria/index.html|title=Things got heated between the US and Russia today at the UN|first=Richard Roth,|last=CNN|publisher=|accessdate=9 April 2018}}</ref><ref>[https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-has-no-evidence-of-syrian-use-of-sarin-gas-mattis-says U.S. has no evidence of Syrian use of sarin gas, Mattis says]. PBS, February 2, 2018</ref> Two smaller [[Chlorine gas poisoning|chlorine gas]] attacks have been also reported in the city of Douma one month before&mdash;one on March 7 and another on March 11.<ref name="Arms control">{{cite web |url=https://www.armscontrol.org/taxonomy/term/17 |title=Timeline of Syrian Chemical Weapons Activity, 2012-2018 |publisher=[[Arms Control Association]] |first1=Daryl |last1=Kimball |first2=Kelsey |last2=Davenport |date=April 2018 }}</ref>

On 13 March 2018, Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces, [[Valery Gerasimov]] said that the Russian military had intelligence that indicated that the rebels holding Eastern Ghouta were planning to stage a chemical weapons attack against civilians and blame it on the Syrian forces, which the U.S. government would use as a pretext to bomb the government quarter in Damascus.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-usa/russia-says-u-s-plans-to-strike-damascus-pledges-military-response-idUSKCN1GP0TY Russia says U.S. plans to strike Damascus, pledges military response], by [[Reuters]]</ref><ref name="bamboozled">[https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/12/opinions/russian-objectives-in-syria-and-the-uk-robertson-opinion-intl/index.html How Putin is bamboozling the West -- again], by [[Nic Robertson]], [[CNN]]</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Twitter Axis Of Evil: Trump Tweets Threats To Syria, Russia, And Iran Over Chemical Attack In Syria|url=https://www.inquisitr.com/4859321/twitter-axis-of-evil-trump-tweets-threats-to-syria-russia-and-iran-over-chemical-attack-in-syria/|agency=Inquisitr|date=8 April 2018}}</ref> On 15 March, the [[China Central Television]] reported that the Syrian military claimed it had discovered a chemical weapon workshop located within a farm previously under rebel control near the suburb of Douma.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cctv.com/2018/03/15/ARTISWmdB4glkPyh1X3iHrBR180315.shtml ||accessdate=8 April 2018 |date=15 March 2018 |title=叙政府军在东古塔区域发现反政府武装化武作坊 |publisher=CCTV |language=Chinese}}</ref>


==Attack==
==Attack==

Revision as of 17:50, 12 April 2018

2018 Douma chemical attack
Part of the Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018), Siege of Eastern Ghouta, (Syrian Civil War)
TypeChemical attack
Location
Douma, Rif Dimashq Governorate, Syria

33°34′16″N 36°24′17″E / 33.57111°N 36.40472°E / 33.57111; 36.40472
Date7 April 2018
06:30 [citation needed] (UTC+03:00)
Executed byCurrently under investigation Syrian Arab Army (alleged)[1][2]
Casualties48–70+[3][4] killed
500+[4] injured
Douma is located in Syria
Douma
Douma
Location of Douma within Syria

On 7 April 2018, a chemical attack was carried out in the Syrian city of Douma by the Syrian Army, with at least 70 people were killed by the attack.[5][4] On-site medics stated the cause of those deaths was exposure to chlorine and sarin gas.[6]

Background

Main article: Use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Civil War

The chemical attack in Douma reportedly happened on 7 April 2018. The area around the city was controlled by Al-Rahman Legion and Tahrir al-Sham rebels.[7][8][9][10]

Chemical weapons were previously used in the Syrian war on a number of occasions. Human Rights Watch has documented 85 chemical weapons attacks in Syria since 2013.[11] For example, investigations by the United Nations and the OPCW have concluded that the Syrian government has previously used chemical weapons in the Khan Shaykhun chemical attack.[12][13] The Syrian government and Russia claimed the Khan Shaykhun chemical attack came from a rebel operated chemical weapon workshop, however their claim has been disproved by OPCW investigations.[14][15] 2017 Shayrat missile strike was conducted by the USA in response to Khan Shaykhun chemical attack.

There were also reported incidents of chemical weapons use specifically in Douma in January 2018; however, Russia vetoed a potential United Nations mission to investigate. [16][17] Two smaller chlorine gas attacks have been also reported in the city of Douma one month before—one on March 7 and another on March 11.[11]

Attack

Several medical,[18] monitoring, and activist groups[4]—including the White Helmets—reported that Syrian Army helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the city of Douma.[19][20][21][22][23] The bombs, suspected to be filled with chemical munitions such as chlorine gas and sarin,[24][25] caused severe convulsions in some residents and suffocated others.[26]

Seventy deaths were attributed to the attack by the Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations, a humanitarian organization that supervises medical services in the region. On-site medics reported that the cause of those deaths was exposure to chlorine and sarin gas.[27] A video from the scene of the attack showed lifeless men, women, and children with foam at their mouths.[26] Injuries were also reported, with the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) reporting that over 500 people at Douma "were brought to local medical centers with symptoms indicative of exposure to a chemical agent."[28] SAMS also said that a chlorine bomb struck a Douma hospital, killing six people there, and that another attack with "mixed agents" hit a building nearby.[29] According to the Syrian opposition groups, witnesses also reported a strong smell of chlorine during the attack and said that effects appeared stronger than in previous attacks of this kind.[30] Syrian opposition activists also posted videos of yellow compressed gas cylinders that they said were used during the attack.[30] Based on the symptoms and the speed with which the victims were affected, medical workers and experts suggested that either a combination of chlorine with another gas or a nerve agent was used.[30]

Aftermath

The day after the alleged chemical attack, all rebels controlling Douma agreed to a deal with the government to surrender the area.[31]

In the early hours of 9 April 2018, an airstrike was conducted against Tiyas Military Airbase, reportedly killing several people.[32] The United States denied launching the airstrike, and an Israeli spokeswoman declined to comment.[33] Russia said Israel was responsible, and that two Israeli F-15I jets attacked the airfield from Lebanese airspace, firing 8 missiles of which 5 were intercepted.[34] According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor, at least 14 people were killed and more were wounded.[35] Among the dead were seven Iranian soldiers.[36]

Russia and Iran have said that the Douma attack was a false flag attack.[37] On 10 April USA, France and UK vetoed Russian proposed UN resolution that would have created "a new investigative mechanism to look into chemical weapons attacks in Syria and determine who is responsible."[38] Russia vetoed the proposed resolution, and proposed a different one on its owns terms which ended up being vetoed by the US, France, and the UK.[39] Syria and Russia have invited the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to investigate if chemical weapons were used.[40]

On 10 April U.S. President Donald Trump, the U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May, and French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement following joint telephone calls that they had "agreed that the international community needed to respond to uphold the worldwide prohibition on the use of chemical weapons".[41]

On 11 April Trump threatened Russia in a tweet to "get ready" for "missiles" adding that "You shouldn't be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!" Vasily Nebenzia, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, said that the United States would "bear responsibility" for any "illegal military adventure" they conducted.[42]

On 12 April France's President Emmanuel Macron publicly stated he has "proof" that the Syrian government attacked the town of Douma with chemical weapons.[2]

Reactions

Countries

  •  Australia: Foreign Minister Julie Bishop wrote: "We urge all parties involved in #Syria conflict to apply maximum pressure on the Syrian regime to fully halt any and all chemical weapons related activity."[43]
  •  France: President Emmanuel Macron said that he had proof that the Syrian government attacked the town of Douma with chemical weapons, and that he would decide "in due course" whether to respond with air strikes [44]
  •  Qatar: The Foreign Ministry expressed deep shock, strongly condemned the attack and called for an international investigation.[45]
  •  Iran: The Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "While the Syrian army has the upper hand in the war against armed terrorists, it is not logical for them to use chemical weapons. Such claims and accusations [about chemical weapons use] by the Americans and some Western countries signal a new plot against the government and nation of Syria and is an excuse for military action against them."[46]
  •  Russia: The Foreign Ministry on 8 April denied that chemical weapons had been used, denouncing the reports as another example of a "continuous series of fake news about the use of chlorine and other chemical agents by the government forces".[47] A few days later, the Russian military said that the chemical attack had been staged and filmed by members of the White Helmets organization and no trace of any chemical weapons use had been detected by Russian experts who researched the alleged site on 9 April.[48][49]
  •  Saudi Arabia: An unnamed source from the country's foreign ministry stated that the country expressed deep concerns and condemned the attack, stressing a need to stop such attacks.[50]
  •  Syria: A source at Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said that "allegations of using chemical weapons have become an unconvincing stereotype, except for some countries which traffic with the blood of civilians and support terrorism in Syria".[51]
  •  Turkey: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement strongly condemning the attack. Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said: "The Syrian regime must give account for the attacks in various regions of the country at different times." Also added "The entire international community, primarily countries that have an influence on the Syrian regime, has a responsibility to take the necessary steps in order to prevent similar war crimes and crimes against humanity".[52] President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said: "Those who committed this massacre will definitely pay a heavy price. I curse those who committed this massacre. We are conducting talks and efforts over this. I had a phone conversation with Mr. Vladimir Putin yesterday. Talks will continue today and tomorrow.[53]
  •  United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said regarding reports on chemical attacks that "these latest reports must urgently be investigated and the international community must respond" and that "investigators from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons [are] looking into reports of chemical weapons use in Syria have our full support. Russia must not yet again try to obstruct these investigations". He also condemned the use of chemical weapons in general, adding that "those responsible for the use of chemical weapons have lost all moral integrity and must be held to account.".[54]
  •  United States: President Donald Trump condemned the attack on Twitter, saying "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 to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!"[55][56] Trump canceled his trip to the 8th Summit of the Americas, sending Vice President Mike Pence in his place.[57]

Supranational organizations

  •  European Union: In a statement, the EU said that "the evidence points towards yet another chemical attack by the regime" and "it is a matter of grave concern that chemical weapons continue to be used, especially on civilians. The European Union condemns in the strongest terms the use of chemical weapons and calls for an immediate response by the international community". It also called for the United Nations Security Council to identify the perpetrators and for Russia and Iran to influence Assad against launching such attacks.[58]

See also

References

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference suffocate was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b "Syria 'chemical attack': France's President Macron says he has proof". BBC News. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  3. ^ CNN, Tamara Qiblawi and Frederik Pleitgen,. "Trump's Syria threat dismissed on streets of Damascus". {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b c d "Suspected Syria chemical attack kills 70". BBC News. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  5. ^ Who We Are, uossm.org
  6. ^ Graham, Chris; Krol, Charlotte; Crilly, Rob; Ensor, Josie; Swinford, Steven; Riley-Smith, Ben; Emanuel, Louis (8 April 2018). "Russia blames Israel for attack on Syrian air base as pressure mounts over gas atrocity". Retrieved 9 April 2018 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  7. ^ "MAPPING MILITANT ORGANIZATIONS: Jaish al-Islam". Stanford University. 31 August 2017.
  8. ^ "Which rebel groups are fighting in Syria's eastern Ghouta?". Deutsche Welle. 20 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Reports of Douma evacuation deal 'not true': council member". Al-Jazeera. 1 April 2018.
  10. ^ "Who are the rebel groups fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government forces in Eastern Ghouta?" SBS News. 2 March 2018.
  11. ^ a b Kimball, Daryl; Davenport, Kelsey (April 2018). "Timeline of Syrian Chemical Weapons Activity, 2012-2018". Arms Control Association.
  12. ^ Both ISIL and Syrian Government responsible for use of chemical weapons, UN Security Council told, UN News Centre, 7 November 2017
  13. ^ UN panel blames Syrian forces for Khan Sheikhoun attack, Al-Jazeera, 27 October 2017
  14. ^ Press, Associated (10 April 2018). "Timeline of chemical weapons attacks in Syria" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  15. ^ Sputnik. "'Chemical Weapons': The Pipedream Excuse Used in Syria by Two US Administrations". sputniknews.com.
  16. ^ CNN, Richard Roth,. "Things got heated between the US and Russia today at the UN". Retrieved 9 April 2018. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ U.S. has no evidence of Syrian use of sarin gas, Mattis says. PBS, February 2, 2018
  18. ^ "Syrian rebels evacuated from Douma reach northwest: monitor". Reuters. April 10, 2018.
  19. ^ "UK, US and France agree to HIT BACK over Syria chemical attack". 10 April 2018.
  20. ^ "Suspected Syria chemical attack kills 70". 8 April 2018 – via www.bbc.com.
  21. ^ "Syrian government accused of using nerve agents as death toll from Douma 'chemical weapons attack' rises". 8 April 2018.
  22. ^ Almasy, Steve (April 8, 2018). "Dozens dead in possible gas attack in Syria; regime denies allegation". CNN.
  23. ^ Loveluck, Louisa; Cunningham, Erin (April 8, 2018). "Dozens killed in apparent chemical weapons attack on civilians in Syria, rescue workers say". The Washington Post.
  24. ^ "Assad's deadly nerve gas that leaves victims foaming at the mouth before suffering seizures and death". 11 April 2018.
  25. ^ "Syria chemical attack would be the eighth since Trump took office".
  26. ^ a b "Syria war: Trump condemns Syria for 'chemical attack' on Douma". BBC. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  27. ^ Graham, Chris; Krol, Charlotte; Crilly, Rob; Ensor, Josie; Swinford, Steven; Riley-Smith, Ben; Emanuel, Louis (8 April 2018). "Russia blames Israel for attack on Syrian air base as pressure mounts over gas atrocity". Retrieved 9 April 2018 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  28. ^ "Dozens killed in apparent chemical weapons attack on civilians in Syria, rescue workers say". Washington Post. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  29. ^ "Dozens dead in suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria". dw.com. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  30. ^ a b c "Chlorine, sarin or something else? The big questions in the alleged Syrian chemical weapons attack". Washington Post. 11 April 2018. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  31. ^ "America vows to respond to a suspected chemical attack in Syria". The Economist. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  32. ^ Syria conflict: Strikes hit Syrian airfield, state media report, BBC, 9 April 2018
  33. ^ Syria says suspected U.S. missiles fired at air base; Washington denies strike, Reuters, 9 April 2018
  34. ^ Russia Says Israel Carried Out Missile Attack on Syrian Base, Bloomberg, 9 April 2018
  35. ^ "Russia, Syria blame Israel for deadly strike on Syrian air base". Times of Israel. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  36. ^ "Israeli attack on T-4 Airbase killed 7 Iranian soldiers". 10 April 2018.
  37. ^ Chulov, Martin; Shaheen, Kareem; Chrisafis, Angelique; Pengelly, Martin (8 April 2018). "Trump: 'big price to pay' for Syria chemical weapons attack". the Guardian.
  38. ^ "USA, France and UK Vetoed Russian Resolution On Syria In U.N. Security Council".
  39. ^ https://news.sky.com/story/russia-vetoes-syria-chemical-weapons-inquiry-11325688
  40. ^ "OPCW Will Deploy Fact-Finding Mission to Douma, Syria". www.opcw.org.
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  42. ^ "Trump warns Russia on Syria missile threat". BBC News. 11 April 2018. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
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  44. ^ "Syria 'chemical attack': France's President Macron 'has proof'". BBC News. Retrieved 2018-04-12.
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  46. ^ "Iran condemns chemical weapons attacks, denies Syria’s role". Al-Monitor. 9 April 2018.
  47. ^ "Moscow calls 'chemical attack' in Douma 'fake news,' warns against Syrian intervention". RT. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  48. ^ Генштаб РФ объявил об отправке в Думу российской военной полиции NEWSru, 11 April 2018.
  49. ^ White Helmets staged Douma ‘chemical weapons attack’ on civilians — Russian General Staff TASS, 11 April 2018.
  50. ^ "Saudi Arabia condemns Douma chemical attack". Arab News. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  51. ^ "Foreign Ministry: Allegations of using chemical weapons unconvincing stereotype – Syrian Arab News Agency". sana.sy. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  52. ^ "Turkey condemns use of chemical weapons in Syria's Douma". Reuters. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  53. ^ [1] Those behind Douma chemical attack will pay, Erdoğan says
  54. ^ "Boris Johnson demands international response to reported Syria poison gas attack". Belfast Telegraph. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  55. ^ @realDonaldTrump (April 8, 2018). "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..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  56. ^ @realDonaldTrump (April 8, 2018). "....to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  57. ^ Bierman, Noah (10 April 2018). "Trump, facing twin crises, will skip South America summit". Los Angeles Times.
  58. ^ "EU calls for response to 'yet another chemical attack' in Syria". Reuters. 8 April 2018.
  59. ^ Security Council fails to adopt three resolutions on chemical weapons use in Syria UN, 10 April 2018.
  60. ^ U.S., Russia clash at U.N. over chemical weapons attacks in Syria Reuters, 9 April 2018.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Douma_chemical_attack&diff=prev&oldid=836101017

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