Eye witnesses said that civilians could be seen fleeing their homes from the rebel held territory, many unable to avoid the deadly chemicals. The Douna Medical Center in East Ghouta claimed that 21 people, including six children, had been admitted to the hospital. However, the suspected number of victims continues to rise.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is seen as a suspect in last week’s attack. In the past, the government operating under the leader had used the nerve agent sarin and chlorine as weapons against civilians, according to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
The recent attack took place in the same area that was hit by the deadliest gas assault in Syrian War History, now more than four years ago. The area has been in conflict for seven years, defying President Bashar al-Assad’s forces since the war’s beginning.
For more information, read:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-ghouta/rescuers-in-rebel-held-syrian-area-accuse-government-of-gas-attack-idUSKBN1FB135
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/23/world/middleeast/syria-chemical-weapons-ghouta.html