On Sunday 8 April, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) implicated the Syrian regime in what seems to be a new chemical attack in Douma, the last rebel stronghold in Syria's eastern Ghouta.
According to reports from Douma, which is "under siege and bombardment by regime forces and its allies", "a high number of civilians were killed yesterday evening (Saturday 7 April), including families who perished in the shelters they were hiding in", the EEAS spokesperson stated. When questioned by EUROPE about the evidence, the spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, said the EEAS had used "several sources" and that "the evidence points towards yet another chemical attack by the regime". While the White Helmets and NGO Syrian American Medical Society have announced the deaths of 28 people in a "toxic gas" attack, saying that in "over 500 cases, most women and children" presented "symptoms of exposure to a chemical agent", no independent source has yet confirmed these reports.
Condemning "in the strongest terms the use of chemical weapons", the EEAS spokesperson called, in a press release, for "an immediate response by the international community".
The UN Security Council was due to hold an emergency meeting during the evening of Monday 9 April. France and the USA have already announced that they rule out "nothing" in terms of response. British Prime Minister Theresa May meanwhile said that if they are recognised as responsible, the regime and its supporters, including Russia, will have to be held accountable.
The Kremlin spokesperson said that as "no investigation has for the moment been carried out" into the attack, it would be "incorrect" to draw conclusions.
"The EU will remain mobilised to fight against the use of chemical weapons and to make sure that those responsible are held accountable", the EEAS spokesperson stated, saying the EU calls on the UN Security Council to rapidly re-establish the mechanism to identify perpetrators of chemical attacks. The spokesperson said it was "highly regrettable" that Russia vetoed the renewal of the mandate of the joint investigative mechanism in November 2017 (see EUROPE 11912).
In the press release, the EEAS spokesperson also said that "almost a year to the day of the horrific attacks in Khan Sheikhoun", which were carried out in early April 2017 and claimed over 70 lives, "it is a matter of grave concern that chemical weapons continue to be used, especially on civilians" (see EUROPE 11761).
"We call on the supporters of the regime, Russia and Iran, to use their influence to prevent any further attack and ensure the cessation of hostilities and de-escalation of violence as per UNSC Resolution 2401", the EEAS spokesperson stated, reiterating that the protection of civilians must remain "an absolute priority".
Since 18 February, at least 1,600 civilians are reported to have died in the regime's offensive on eastern Ghouta. In seven years, the war in Syria has claimed over 350,000 lives. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)