Syria: Death toll from chemical attack rises to over 78

Adham Kako, Mohamad Misto and Mahmut Geldi

EASTERN GHOUTA: The civilian death toll rose to 78 from Saturday’s chemical attack by the Syrian regime in Douma, a district in Eastern Ghouta, local doctors said on Sunday.

Suleman Kakeh and Ayman Arbash, two doctors in the Damascus suburb, confirmed the fatalities in a report exclusively available with Anadolu Agency.

Footage from the region shows many civilians are not bleeding but are foaming at the mouth and nose.

Syria Civil Defense, also known as White Helmets, said 70 civilians had been killed in the attack by the regime forces in which toxic gas was used.

Currently, 100,000 people are living under a blockade in about a seven-square-kilometre area of Douma.

On March 19, the regime forces launched a chlorine gas attack in Eastern Ghouta.

U.K-based Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) said in a recent report that the regime has launched 214 chemical attacks since the beginning of the civil war in 2011.

On Feb. 24, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2401 which called for a month-long ceasefire in Syria – especially in Eastern Ghouta — to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Despite the resolution, the regime and its allies early this month launched a major ground offensive backed by Russian air power aimed at capturing opposition-held parts of Eastern Ghouta.

Earlier this month, a UN commission of inquiry released a report accusing the regime of committing war crimes in Eastern Ghouta, including the use of chemical weapons against civilians. (AA)