Syria: More Than 70 Dead, Dozens Injured In Suspected Chemical Attack

Apr 05, 2017 by Natasha Marie in International

*This article contains graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.*

A Deadly Attack.

On Tuesday, a suspected targeted chemical attack has left more than 70 people, including at least 10 children, dead. The attack took place in the village of Khan Sheikhoun, which is located in the Idlib Peninsula of Syria. The injuries are consistent with sarin gas according to experts. Despite insistence from Assad’s regime and Russia that blame lay with rebel forces, multiple world leaders and human rights groups say all evidence points to Assad targeting the region. Images of the dead and injured were quickly picked up by world-wide media outlets.

Deadly suspected chemical attack leaves more than 70 dead in Syria.

This photo shows the children victims of Tuesday’s deadly attack. It is suspected that a chemical, such as sarin gas, was used. Photo provided by Idlib Media Center.

Suspected chemical attack in Syria leaves more than 70 people dead.

More victims of Tuesday’s attack. Photo provided by Idlib Media Center.

Hours later, another airstrike near a hospital were many victims were being treated resulted in dozens of additional injuries according to the Aleppo Media center activist group. Russia has insisted it had no warplanes in the vicinity at the time. If the attack is confirmed as chemical, it would be the deadliest since the war began six years ago.

Syria no stranger to chemical warfare.

This is not the first time that innocent civilians have been subjected to such attacks. In fact, three have been confirmed since 2013, though one was in fact carried out by ISIS forces. While the Syrian regime always deflects such attacks onto rebel forces, UN investigations have concluded that most have been carried out by airstrike and no rebel forces have such capabilities.

In addition to chemical attacks, Syria sees regular bombing campaigns that have left thousands dead and millions fleeing for their lives. The humanitarian crisis has become an epidemic that despite “sympathy” shown by major counties has not yet equated to action for the innocent.

With Russia a firm ally of the Assad regime, the diplomatic waters for another countries to become involved is murky.

UN calls emergency meeting.

The United States, France and Britain have circulated a resolution to be presented at an emergency session at the United Nations Security Council for condemning the attack. In the event the resolution goes to a vote, it will probably be blocked by Russia. Russia has used its veto power several times on Syrian resolutions.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said, “The images we have seen yesterday from Syria remind us all that here we have a responsibility to unite for real with a serious engagement the international community, the regional players, but also the Syrian parties to make peace.”

However, there is a problem with the level of U.S. commitment as many see the only real resolution is the removal of the Assad regime. Trump though does not seem to see this as a priority as stated by the U.S. Ambassador to U.N., Nikki Haley.

“Do we think he’s a hindrance? Yes. Are we going to sit there and focus on getting him out? No,” she said last week. This combined with the recent comments of the President which seem to suggest he is focusing on the blame game.

President Trump and Syria.

President Trump called the slaughter “a consequence of the past administration’s weakness and irresolution. Former President Obama said in 2012 that he would establish a ‘red line’ against the use of chemical weapons and then did nothing.” Trump made no mention of the fact that President Obama did ask for Congress to allow him to act in Syria (a request that was refused). Nor did he mention his own tweet from 2013 in which he made his opinions on Syria quite clear.