Syria: Chemical Attacks Near Damascus Kills “Hundreds”

Rebel activists in Syria are reporting that chemical weapons attacks by Assad’s forces have killed hundreds of people on the outskirts of Damascus.

Unverified footage uploaded to YouTube shows people being treated after rockets containing chemical agents were reportedly fired at the suburbs of the Ghouta region during heavy bombardment by government forces.

The videos show a number of victims, including children, suffering from what appears to be symptoms of a chemical attack with convulsions and breathing problems, with the number of victims reportedly notably higher than in previous attacks in the conflict.

It is not clear what chemical was used in the attack, but the Syrian army is widely believed to have stockpiles of sarin and mustard gas.

Commenting on the reports of chemical weapons attack, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

I am deeply concerned by reports that hundreds of people, including children, have been killed in airstrikes and a chemical weapons attack on rebel-held areas near Damascus. These reports are uncorroborated and we are urgently seeking more information. But it is clear that if they are verified, it would mark a shocking escalation in the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Those who order the use of chemical weapons, and those who use them, should be in no doubt that we will work in every way we can to hold them to account. I call on the Syrian Government to allow immediate access to the area for the UN team currently investigating previous allegations of chemical weapons use. The UK will be raising this incident at the UN Security Council.

The news of this attack comes just two days after UN inspectors arrived in Syria to examine previous reports of chemical attacks.

Blogger Brown Moses has put together a playlist of videos reportedly showing the chemical attack.
Warning: Disturbing scenes