Chemical Weapons Attack in Syria
Press Statement
Rex W. Tillerson
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
April 4, 2017
The United States strongly condemns the chemical weapons attack in Idlib province, the third allegation of the use of
such weapons in the past month alone. There are reports of dozens dead, including many children. While we continue to
monitor the terrible situation, it is clear that this is how Bashar al-Assad operates: with brutal, unabashed barbarism.
Those who defend and support him, including Russia and Iran, should have no illusions about Assad or his intentions.
Anyone who uses chemical weapons to attack his own people shows a fundamental disregard for human decency and must be
held accountable.
It is also clear that this horrific conflict, now in its seventh year, demands a genuine ceasefire and the supporters of
the armed combatants in the region need to ensure compliance. We call upon Russia and Iran, yet again, to exercise their
influence over the Syrian regime and to guarantee that this sort of horrific attack never happens again. As the
self-proclaimed guarantors to the ceasefire negotiated in Astana, Russia and Iran also bear great moral responsibility
for these deaths.