Chemical attack hits Syrian rebel-held town of Douma kills at least 70 innocent civilians

Damascus, April 8: At least 70 innocent civilians were killed and a dozen others were injured in the suspected chemical attack on the last rebel-held Syrian town of Douma. Notably, the chemical attack is banned and none of the party including Syrian government, Russian jets or rebels has claimed the attack.

 

The White Helmets, a group of rescuers operating in opposition-held areas in Syria on Saturday said that at least 70 civilians while a dozen others were injured. It further added that most of the fatalities were women and children.

Raed al-Saleh, head of the White Helmets also added that the death toll was expected to rise as many people were in critical condition. Al-Saleh said that chlorine gas and an unidentified but stronger gas were dropped on Douma.

On the other side, the Syrian forces said that they are not involved in any gas attacks. However, the Syrian forces and their allies on Friday launched a fierce air and ground offensive on Douma, the last remaining rebel-held town in Eastern Ghouta.

Earlier, in the month the Syrian government reclaimed Eastern Ghouta province which was held by Islamist-dominated fighters after a relentless six-week airstrike with rockets, barrel bombs. During the six-week of an offensive, at least 1,644 civilians, including 344 children, have been killed while hundreds of others were injured.

Despite the ban, chemical attacks are regularly used in Syria. The United States has already blacklisted 18 senior Syrian officials who were connected to the country’s weapon of mass destruction program and also identified five Syrian military branches as part of the Government of Syria was using chemical weapon attacks against civilians.