Syrian Regime Continues To Use Chemical Weapons

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Photo Credit: Syrian Network For Human Rights
Despite the "Red Line" drawn by President Obama, and President Trump bombing a Syrian military airbase, the Syrian Regime continues to use chemical weapons in Syria. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) released a report recently detailing five incidents of chemical weapons use since the chemical weapons attack in Khan Sheikhoun.

Most of the chemical attacks since the attacks in Khan Sheikhoun, involved the use of hand grenades loaded with chlorine gas on battlefronts against the opposition forces. The attacks were part of the Syrian Regime's efforts to escalate their military operations in Jourbar neighborhood and Eatern Ghouta town since June, 2017.

Four of the SNHR recorded attacks were at the battlefronts of the Joubat neighborhood and the towns of Zamalka and Ein Tarma, spanning from mid-June throughout July 2017. There were an estimated 27 people injured, mostly opposition fighters..

One of the eye witnesses, Noor Adams, was told by an opposition fighter after the Zamalka town attack on July 2nd, that he witnessed "the regime throw hand grenades loaded with poison gas." Shortly after a local media activist published a video of opposition fighters injured by the chlorine-loaded bombs. 

To obtain information, the SNHR draws on eyewitness accounts and videos broadcast by activist after the attack. The videos displayed victims exhibiting symptoms of chlorine gas such as suffocation, breathing difficulties, blurry vision and muscles weakness. 

Since March 2011, the SNHR reports a total of 207 chemical weapons attacks despite numerous Security Council resolutions and other international actions. The attacks have resulted in 1356 civilian deaths, 186 children and 224 women. The SNHR also reports 6,672 individuals injured due to these attacks. 

SNHR chairman Fedel Abdul Ghany notes that despite American administration warnings, the Syrian Regime, "has ignored the French president’s warnings and breached all the Security Council Resolutions even though they refer to Chapter VII. Failing again to come up with a serious, deceive deterrent will undoubtedly lead to more disrespect and insolence."

As part of the SNHR report, the organization recommends that above all, the Russian Government cease the use of veto for the sake of protection the Syrian regime who has perpetrated their crimes. They also recommend that the International community, namely the European Union and the United States, support the international, impartial and independent mechanism that was established in accordance with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 71/248. The report also call on the Commission of Inquiry to start investigating the incidents, included in this report and those previously documented.  



2016-08-17


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