These Syrian activists are utilizing the internet to report the alleged atrocious attack they're claiming they've endured, and they're also accusing the Syrian government and President Bashar al-Assad of bombing the suburbs of Damascus (early last week), with chemical weapons. The Syrian government, however, adamantly denies these claims, and says the reports are merely a distraction.
If these reports are true, and, Assad did in fact unleash chemical weapons, this would be the most egregious chemical attack since Saddam Hussein used gas to kill thousands of Kurds in 1988. Either way, this act is nothing short of a massacre.
Reportedly, local warheads (rockets with chemical agents) hit the Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka, and Jobar. They hit right before dawn as families were sleeping.
Hospital reports and images show victims with little to no physical damage on their bodies; which could show evidence of the use of chemical agents.
Dr. Khaled al-Doumi, a director of a medical center near the site stated:
A UN team is in Syria, probing to see if this did happen, and if it was because of President Assad.
The hope here is that these chemical experts investigate the area of the bombings, right away. But, the catch is that they need permission from Syria to do anything in the country. It's probably all going to get wrapped up in bureaucracy, so, who knows if that will ever occur.
The pictures of the aftermath are hard to look at. There are many children who were killed.
The European Union has condemned the suspected use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government. While the French foreign minister said that if these claims are true, a reaction of force must be taken. Adding that if the UN council cannot do it, decisions would be made otherwise.
The Turkish foreign minister also joined in saying the UN must act, as all red lines have been crossed.
The German foreign minister called for more efforts to confirm that this happened. The US joined in, saying that this must be urgently investigated. But, will actually anything happen? Thanks to the UN security council, I don't know. But, what I do know, is that China and Russia will not join in. And, it's terrible to see because it's just more of what we've been seeing. Over 100,000 people have been killed (in conflicts that started back in 2011). Millions displaced. And, really, no positive end seems in sight.
A website called The Revolting Syrian, which has posted many disturbing images of the aftermath, stated:
And, that's the thing: it's important we don't forget. Daily, these people wake up to a world of uncertainty and violence that we could never begin to comprehend or handle. And, if these allegations are true, and indeed, chemical weapons were used against the people of Syria, , I hope for a swift and actual response from the international community.
In either way, my heart and thoughts go out to all of the victims in Syria.
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