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August 22, 2013

Hundreds Feared Dead in Unverified Syria Chemical Attack 
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Estimates of the death toll from the reported chemical weapons attack in
Syria range anywhere from 100 to up to 1,600. The Syrian government has
denied opposition claims it used nerve agents in bombing rebel-held area
of Ghouta, east of Damascus. Video footage uploaded to You Tube shows
frantic scenes of overwhelmed hospitals, wounded children, and lifeless
bodies. Doctors who treated the victims report injuries consistent with
nerve gas. If confirmed, it would stand to be the most violent incident
in Syria's more than two-year civil year and one of the worst toxic
attacks in decades. But there has been no independent verification so
far. The Syrian government would have launched the attack just days
after international chemical weapons inspectors arrived in the country.
At the United Nations, Deputy-Secretary General Jan Eliasson said the
Syrian government should allow inspectors to visit the site of the
reported attack.

Deputy-Secretary General Jan Eliasson: "This represents, no matter what
the conclusions are, a serious escalation with grave humanitarian
consequences and human consequences. We very much hope that we will be
able to conduct the investigation. Dr. Sellstrom and his team are in
place in Damascus. We hope that they will be given access to the area by
the government."

The Syrian regime is reportedly continuing its bombing of Ghouta today,
making any immediate visit by U.N. inspectors is highly unlikely.

 

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