CDS DEMANDS U.S. ACTION AFTER ASSAD CHEMICAL ATTACK IN IDLIB
Washington, DC –The Coalition for a Democratic Syria, representing the Syrian-American community, demands direct U.S. action after last
night’s chlorine bomb attack in Sarmeen, Idlib. The Assad regime dropped barrel bombs loaded with weaponized chlorine
gas, suffocating and killing children. The events were documented by Syrian Civil Defense (known as the “White Helmets”). The horrific attack comes just ten days after the adoption of
Security Council Resolution 2209 condemning the use of weaponized chlorine in Syria.
“This attack signifies the Assad regime’s direct defiance against the international community and the UN Security
Council,” said CDS Policy Advisor Tyler Thompson. “The United States must take action to eliminate Assad’s ability to
attack civilians.”
The Assad regime has obstructed the implementation of every UN Security Council resolution since the beginning of the
conflict. Resolution 2209 empowers the Security Council to impose Chapter VII measures, which include the use of force,
in the event of continued chemical weapons attacks.
“How many more suffocated children do we have to watch gasp for their last breaths? How many more red lines must Assad
cross before the United States stops his barrel bombs?” said CDS Government Relations Chair Muna Jondy. ”An utter lack
of American leadership in Syria has led to repeated chemical weapons attacks and nothing but rhetoric from U.S.
officials in response.”
Assad has repeatedly used weaponized chlorine against civilians since the Russia-backed 2013 chemical weapons deal.
Chlorine is not included as a banned weapon in the Chemical Weapons Convention because of its industrial and commercial
uses. Weaponized chlorine destroys its victims’ respiratory organs, bringing on choking fits, loss of vision, and
death–particularly among children and the elderly.
ENDS