Victims of Chemical Weapons Attack in Douma, Syria

[Meatpie]

More than 70 deaths confirmed today in Douma, Syria while 500 people were brought to medical centres with symptoms consistent with chemical weapons attack.

The UK and France called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations security council in reaction to the the attack. The security council will meet twice on Monday.

 

[Meatpie]

Most of the victims were kids

Victims of the strike reported a strong odour of chlorine – an industrial chemical that has been dropped by regime helicopters throughout the war. However, Jerry Smith, a former UN weapons inspector who investigated previous chemical attacks in Syria, said the high death toll, the speed of death and convulsions shown by some patients suggested another more lethal compound – possibly organophosphate based – may have been used.

Sarin is an organophosphate chemical that has been repeatedly used in Syria – including in a mass attack on Khan Sheikhoun on 4 April 2017 and in Ghouta in August 2013. European intelligence agencies have gathered evidence that regime officials have mixed sarin and chlorine, which dilutes the gas while ensuring it remains a potent killer – especially if delivered in confined spaces.

 

[alexonedeath]

Had the victims crowded into these rooms in a futile attempt to escape the chemical attack outside, or were they already inside for some other reason (e.g. a social gathering) and the chemical weapons were directed into their gatherings? Surely al-Assad has something to do with these atrocities, whether he admits it or not. Why hasn't he been assassinated yet?

 

[Meatpie]

Victims were hiding in the building when the attack happened. Bashar al-Assad has armed guards everywhere around him 24/7. The only person who has the real potential to pull off a complex and tricky task such as assassination of a president is Vladimir Putin either with novichok or polonium.

Unfortuntely Putin is one of the biggest supporters of Bashar and the Russian intervention in Syria has secured his stay in power.

 

[alexonedeath]

What does Putin gain by supporting Bashar and his regime? Is Syria considered geographically strategic for Russia? I know Putin does nothing out of the goodness of his heart. Bashar is simply a means to some end that isn't apparent to me.

 

[Meatpie]

Russia has a naval base in Tartus, Syria its only Mediterranean base and they can't afford to lose control over it if Bashar falls.

Much bigger concern is the reported contingent of 2,500 Russian Chechen Muslims who have joined ISIS. In October 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that “7,000 jihadi fighters from Russia and the former Soviet east are fighting for the Islamic State.” Although Russia has fought two brutal wars against Chechen rebels, the Caucasus remain a restive region, and the Chechens who have joined ISIS are there to gain experience and a base for revenge.

The sabotage of a Russian airliner by an ISIS ally in Egypt which killed all 224 on board recalls bitter memories and reinforces Russia’s determination to crush the group and the Chechen volunteers in its ranks. In 2004, Chechen terrorists brought down two Russian airliners as part of a terrorist campaign that continues to this day.

They see all this as a direct threat to their national security.

 

[sober]

Victims were hiding in the building when the attack happened. Bashar al-Assad has armed guards everywhere around him 24/7. The only person who has the real potential to pull off a complex and tricky task such as assassination of a president is Vladimir Putin either with novichok or polonium.

Unfortuntely Putin is one of the biggest supporters of Bashar and the Russian intervention in Syria has secured his stay in power.

2 of a kind......and nothing will change again.

 

[kitanaprincess]

omg poor children!

 

[alexonedeath]

Although Russia has fought two brutal wars against Chechen rebels, the Caucasus remain a restive region, and the Chechens who have joined ISIS are there to gain experience and a base for revenge.

I am reminded of the experience of the United States fighting the Viet Cong for years and years and years. Being a superpower does not guarantee success.

 

[BloodFullOfPain]

Isn't this war over yet? I mean they almost defeated IS, but maybe that wasn't the biggest problem.

 

[Meatpie]

Isn't this war over yet? I mean they almost defeated IS, but maybe that wasn't the biggest problem.

This is a global war fought between many nations within the borders of Syria including both Russia and the USA. I uploaded this video yesterday explaining why the situation in Syria is so complicated and why the Syrian war will not end soon. The war in Syria is the most devastating armed conflict of the 21st century with atrocity unseen on Earth since the end of the second world war. The death toll currently stands close to 500,000 people killed since 2011 which ranks the Syrian Civil War among the deadliest wars in human history.

I also posted links to HBO documentary "Cries from Syria" which includes lots of graphic footage and interviews with people directly involved in the conflict.

You can watch it here:

https://cutedeadguys.net/threads/59048-Cries-from-Syria-HBO-DOCUMENTARY

 

[minagawa]

Why did....

 

[Meatpie]

...because of bad world we created?