Examine individual changes

'{{POV|date=July 2020}} {{short description|military operations of the Syrian Civil War involving chemical weapons}} {{Use American English|date=April 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}} {{Infobox military operation | name = Douma chemical attack | partof = the [[Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018)]], [[Siege of Eastern Ghouta]], [[Syrian Civil War]] | image = | caption = | scope = | type = [[Chemical warfare]],<ref name=OPCW-FFM-Mar2019/>{{rp|9.12}} [[airstrike]]<ref name=OPCWinterim>{{cite report |author=OPCW Technical Secretariat |author-link=OPCW |date=2018 |title=Note by the Technical Secretariat Update on the Fact-Finding Mission in Syria |url=https://www.opcw.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019/05/s-1755-2019.pdf |publisher=Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons |access-date=3 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816200603/https://www.opcw.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019/05/s-1755-2019.pdf |archive-date=16 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|3.1}} | location = [[Douma, Syria|Douma]], [[Rif Dimashq Governorate]], [[Syria]] | coordinates = {{coord|33|34|16|N|36|24|17|E}} | map_type = Syria | map_size = 250 | map_caption = Location of Douma within Syria | map_label = Douma | planned = | planned_by = | commanded_by = | objective = | target = | date = 7 April 2018 | time = 19:30 <ref name=IICI2018report/> | time-begin = | time-end = | timezone =[[UTC+03:00]] | executed_by = Unknown. [[Syrian Arab Air Force]] has been accused.<ref name="suffocate">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/08/world/middleeast/syria-chemical-attack-ghouta.html |title=Dozens Suffocate in Syria as Government Is Accused of Chemical Attack |first=Ben |last=Hubbard |date=8 April 2018 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409025126/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/08/world/middleeast/syria-chemical-attack-ghouta.html |archive-date=9 April 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="BBCApr12" /><br/> | outcome =[[2018 missile strikes against Syria|US, UK, France launch retaliatory missile strikes]] | casualties = | fatalities = 41<ref name=ICRCReviewNaqvi>{{cite journal |last1=Naqvi |first1=Yasmin |title=Crossing the red line: The use of chemical weapons in Syria and what should happen now |journal=International Review of the Red Cross |date=7 February 2019 |volume=99 |issue=906 |pages=959–993 |doi=10.1017/S1816383118000450 |url=https://www.icrc.org/en/download/file/93054/906_7.pdf |access-date=4 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704155219/https://www.icrc.org/en/download/file/93054/906_7.pdf |archive-date=4 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BBC FFM Mar 2019">{{cite news |title=Syria war: Chlorine likely to have been used in Douma attack - OPCW |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-47424266 |access-date=4 July 2019 |work=BBC News |agency=BBC |date=1 March 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302125017/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-47424266 |archive-date=2 March 2019}}</ref><ref name=OPCW-FFM-Mar2019>{{cite report |author=OPCW Technical Secretariat |author-link=Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons |date=1 March 2019 |title=Report Of The Fact-Finding Mission Regarding The Incident Of Alleged Use Of Toxic Chemicals As A Weapon In Douma, Syrian Arab Republic, On 7 April 2018 |url=https://www.opcw.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019/03/s-1731-2019%28e%29.pdf |publisher=Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons |access-date=1 June 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311212235/https://www.opcw.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019/03/s-1731-2019(e).pdf |archive-date=11 March 2019 |id=S/1731/2019 }}</ref>{{rp|9.5}} — 49<ref name=IICI2018report/> reported | injuries = 100<ref name="French Intel 2018">{{cite report |date=14 April 2018 |title=Chemical attack of 7 April 2018 (Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Syria) |url=https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/180414_-_syria_-fr_national_assessment-_english-version_cle0c76b5.pdf |publisher=[[Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs|Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères]] |page=2 |location=Paris |access-date=3 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507185029/https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/180414_-_syria_-fr_national_assessment-_english-version_cle0c76b5.pdf |archive-date=7 May 2018}}</ref> — 650<ref name=IICI2018report/> }}{{Campaignbox Syrian Civil War}} On 7 April 2018, a [[chemical warfare]] attack was carried out in the [[Syrian]] city of [[Douma, Syria|Douma]].<ref name=OPCW-FFM-Mar2019/>{{rp|9.12}} Medics and witnesses reported that it caused the deaths of between 40 and 50 people<ref name=OPCW-FFM-Mar2019/>{{rp|9.5}}<ref name=ICRCReviewNaqvi/>{{rp|971}}<ref name="BBC FFM Mar 2019"/> and injuries to possibly well over 100.<ref name="French Intel 2018"/><ref name=IICI2018report/> The attack was attributed to the [[Syrian Army]] by rebel forces in Douma, and by the [[Federal government of the United States|United States]], [[Government of the United Kingdom|British]], and [[Government of France|French]] governments.<ref name=reuters>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/trump-says-ordered-precision-strikes-against-syria-chemical-weapons-capabilities-idUSKBN1HJ0ZS|title=Trump says ordered precision strikes against Syria chemical weapons|work=Reuters|access-date=14 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414032815/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/trump-says-ordered-precision-strikes-against-syria-chemical-weapons-capabilities-idUSKBN1HJ0ZS|archive-date=14 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="washington_post">{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-launches-missile-strikes-in-syria/2018/04/13/c68e89d0-3f4a-11e8-974f-aacd97698cef_story.html|title=U.S. launches missile strikes in Syria|first1=Anne|last1=Gearan|first2=Missy|last2=Ryan|date=13 April 2018|work=The Washington Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414012259/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-launches-missile-strikes-in-syria/2018/04/13/c68e89d0-3f4a-11e8-974f-aacd97698cef_story.html|archive-date=14 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The [[Council of Ministers (Syria)|Syrian]] and [[Government of Russia|Russian]] governments asserted that a widely circulated video allegedly showing the aftermath of the attack was staged.<ref name="tasstopbrass">[http://tass.com/defense/999641 Russian top brass reports it has proof of UK’s involvement in Douma chemical incident] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414010501/http://tass.com/defense/999641 |date=14 April 2018 }} TASS, 12 April 2018.</ref><ref name="tassopcw">[http://tass.com/politics/1000124 Envoy to OPCW says Russia found participants of staged 'chemical attack' video in Syria] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417024516/http://tass.com/politics/1000124 |date=17 April 2018 }} TASS, 16 April 2018.</ref> On 14 April 2018, the United States, France and the United Kingdom carried out [[2018 missile strikes against Syria|a series of military strikes]] against multiple government sites in Syria. On 6 July 2018, an interim report was issued by the [[Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons]] (OPCW). Various [[chlorinated]] [[organic chemicals]] ([[dichloroacetic acid]], [[trichloroacetic acid]], [[chlorophenol]], [[dichlorophenol]], bornyl chloride, [[chloral hydrate]] etc.) were found in samples, along with residues of explosive, but the designated laboratory 03 stated that no [[Chemical Weapons Convention|CWC-scheduled chemicals]] or [[nerve agent]] related chemicals were detected. In September 2018 the UN Commission of Enquiry on Syria reported: "Throughout 7 April, numerous aerial attacks were carried out in Douma, striking various residential areas. A vast body of evidence collected by the Commission suggests that, at approximately 7.30 p.m., a gas cylinder containing a chlorine payload delivered by helicopter struck a multi-storey residential apartment building located approximately 100 metres south-west of Shohada square. The Commission received information on the death of at least 49 individuals, and the wounding of up to 650 others."<ref name=IICI2018report>{{cite report |author=UN Human Rights Council |author-link=United Nations Human Rights Council |date=9 August 2018 |title=Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic |url=https://undocs.org/A/HRC/39/65 |publisher=United Nations |access-date=30 June 2019 |id=A/HRC/39/65 |section=VI. Ongoing investigations |page=17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629143641/https://undocs.org/A/HRC/39/65 |archive-date=29 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> While it was initially unclear which chemicals had been used, in 2019 the OPCW FFM (Fact-Finding Mission) report concluded: "Regarding the alleged use of toxic chemicals as a weapon on 7 April 2018 in Douma, the Syrian Arab Republic, the evaluation and analysis of all the information gathered by the FFM—witnesses’ testimonies, environmental and biomedical samples analysis results, toxicological and ballistic analyses from experts, additional digital information from witnesses—provide reasonable grounds that the use of a toxic chemical as a weapon took place. This toxic chemical contained reactive chlorine. The toxic chemical was likely molecular chlorine."<ref name=OPCW-FFM-Mar2019/>{{rp|9.12}} The OPCW said it found no evidence to support the government's claim that a local facility was being used by rebel fighters to produce chemical weapons.<ref name="auto2">BBC News 1 March 2019 [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-47424266] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302162657/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-47424266 |date=2 March 2019 }}</ref> == Background == {{Main|Use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Civil War|Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018)|Siege of Eastern Ghouta}} According to [[Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons]] (OPCW) and [[United Nations]] investigations, both the [[Syrian Arab Republic]]'s forces and Islamic State militants have used [[chemical weapons]] during the conflict.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/timeline-chemical-weapons-attacks-syria-54367351|title=Timeline of chemical weapons attacks in Syria|work=ABC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418031513/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/timeline-chemical-weapons-attacks-syria-54367351|archive-date=18 April 2018|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-opcw-timeline/timeline-of-investigations-into-syrias-chemical-weapons-idUSKBN1HG1M7|title=Timeline of investigations into Syria's chemical weapons|work=Reuters|access-date=17 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418031511/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-opcw-timeline/timeline-of-investigations-into-syrias-chemical-weapons-idUSKBN1HG1M7|archive-date=18 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/timeline-syria-chemical-weapons-civil-war-article-1.3020430|title=A timeline of Syria's chemical weapons use in civil war|access-date=17 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421061246/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/timeline-syria-chemical-weapons-civil-war-article-1.3020430|archive-date=21 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Human Rights Watch]] has documented 85 [[Use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Civil War|chemical weapons attacks in Syria]] since 2013, and its sources indicate the Syrian government is responsible for the majority.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2018/04/16/how-many-chemical-attacks-have-been-documented-in-syria-infographic/#dd3f6265a1ed|title=How Many Chemical Attacks Have Been Documented In Syria? [Infographic]|first=Niall|last=McCarthy|access-date=17 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417192856/https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2018/04/16/how-many-chemical-attacks-have-been-documented-in-syria-infographic/#dd3f6265a1ed|archive-date=17 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> People reported incidents of chemical weapons use specifically in Douma in January 2018; Russia vetoed a potential United Nations mission to investigate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/23/middleeast/us-russia-un-chemical-weapons-syria/index.html|title=Things got heated between the US and Russia today at the UN|first=Richard |last=Roth|publisher=CNN|access-date=9 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409110220/https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/23/middleeast/us-russia-un-chemical-weapons-syria/index.html|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>[https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-has-no-evidence-of-syrian-use-of-sarin-gas-mattis-says U.S. has no evidence of Syrian use of sarin gas, Mattis says] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409141641/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-has-no-evidence-of-syrian-use-of-sarin-gas-mattis-says |date=9 April 2018 }}. PBS, 2 February 2018</ref> The [[Arms Control Association]] reported two smaller [[Chlorine gas poisoning|chlorine gas]] attacks in Douma on 7 March and 11 March.<ref name="Arms control">{{cite web |url=https://www.armscontrol.org/taxonomy/term/17 |title=Timeline of Syrian Chemical Weapons Activity, 2012–2018 |publisher=[[Arms Control Association]] |first1=Daryl |last1=Kimball |first2=Kelsey |last2=Davenport |date=April 2018 |access-date=11 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082646/https://www.armscontrol.org/taxonomy/term/17 |archive-date=12 April 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Douma had been under rebel control since 18 October 2012,<ref name="Capture of Douma">{{cite news|last=Di Giovanni|first=Janine|title=Denial Is Slipping Away as War Arrives in Damascus|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/18/world/middleeast/syrian-war-reaches-damascus.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&smid=tw-share&&pagewanted=print|date=18 October 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=20 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203040632/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/18/world/middleeast/syrian-war-reaches-damascus.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&smid=tw-share&&pagewanted=print|archive-date=3 February 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and, with the rest of the Eastern Ghouta region, [[Siege of Eastern Ghouta|under siege]] since April 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43343266|title=UN convoy delivers aid to Eastern Ghouta amid 'calm'|date=9 March 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625211054/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43343266|archive-date=25 June 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The [[Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018)]], code-named Operation Damascus Steel, a [[Offensive (military)|military offensive]] launched by the [[Syrian Arab Army]] (SAA) and its allies on 18 February 2018 to capture the rebel-held territory.<ref name="kill71">{{cite news|last=Osborne|first=Samuel|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-civil-war-assad-regime-killed-air-striked-wounded-eastern-ghouta-rebel-damascus-a8218001.html|title=Syrian government air strikes kill 71 and wound 325 in 24 hours, monitor says|date=19 February 2018|work=The Independent|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408132826/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-civil-war-assad-regime-killed-air-striked-wounded-eastern-ghouta-rebel-damascus-a8218001.html|archive-date=8 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="ready">{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20180218-syria-forces-ready-assault-rebel-enclave|title=Syria forces ready for assault on rebel enclave|date=18 February 2018|publisher=France 24|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220151841/http://www.france24.com/en/20180218-syria-forces-ready-assault-rebel-enclave|archive-date=20 February 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The [[Jaysh al-Islam]] rebel coalition controlled Douma.<ref>"[http://www.dw.com/en/which-rebel-groups-are-fighting-in-syrias-eastern-ghouta/a-42663501 Which rebel groups are fighting in Syria's eastern Ghouta?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227083307/http://www.dw.com/en/which-rebel-groups-are-fighting-in-syrias-eastern-ghouta/a-42663501 |date=27 February 2018 }}". Deutsche Welle. 20 February 2018.</ref><ref name="aljazeera">"[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/syria-state-media-jaish-al-islam-agrees-leave-ghouta-douma-180401115350429.html Reports of Douma evacuation deal 'not true': council member] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408113609/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/syria-state-media-jaish-al-islam-agrees-leave-ghouta-douma-180401115350429.html |date=8 April 2018 }}". Al-Jazeera. 1 April 2018.</ref><ref name="SBS">"[https://www.sbs.com.au/news/who-are-the-rebel-groups-fighting-in-syria-s-eastern-ghouta Who are the rebel groups fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government forces in Eastern Ghouta?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408065540/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/who-are-the-rebel-groups-fighting-in-syria-s-eastern-ghouta |date=8 April 2018 }}" SBS News. 2 March 2018.</ref> By mid-March, rebel territory in Eastern Ghouta had reduced to three pockets, one in the south around [[Hamouria]] held by [[Faylaq al-Rahman]]; a second in the west around [[Harasta]] held by [[Ahrar al-Sham]]; as well as Douma in the north held by Jaysh al-Islam.<ref name="BBC">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-43414348 Syria war: Thousands flee Eastern Ghouta as army advances] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628111042/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-43414348 |date=28 June 2018 }}, BBC, 15 March 2018</ref> In the second half of March, the other two pockets were secured via evacuation deals between the rebels, Syria, and Russia.<ref>[https://www.afp.com/en/news/826/thousands-flee-ghouta-rebel-enclave-syria-army-advances-doc-12k4je3 Thousands flee Ghouta rebel enclave as Syria army advances] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316154116/https://www.afp.com/en/news/826/thousands-flee-ghouta-rebel-enclave-syria-army-advances-doc-12k4je3 |date=16 March 2018 }}, AFP</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-evacuation/syrian-rebels-reach-evacuation-deal-in-eastern-ghouta-town-rebel-sources-idUSKBN1GW39R|title=Syrian rebels agree to evacuate town in Ghouta: sources|work=Reuters|access-date=24 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322080224/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-evacuation/syrian-rebels-reach-evacuation-deal-in-eastern-ghouta-town-rebel-sources-idUSKBN1GW39R|archive-date=22 March 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="deal agreed">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/23/ceasefire-deal-agreed-in-syrias-eastern-ghouta|date=23 March 2018|title=Ceasefire deal agreed in Syria's eastern Ghouta|access-date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418060405/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/23/ceasefire-deal-agreed-in-syrias-eastern-ghouta|archive-date=18 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 31 March, the last of the evacuations was conducted and the Syrian army declared victory in Eastern Ghouta, while the rebels that were still holding out in Douma were given an ultimatum to surrender by the end of the day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/state-tv-towns-syrias-ghouta-cleared-rebels-54144500|title=Syrian army declares victory as rebels vacate most of Ghouta|access-date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403054239/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/state-tv-towns-syrias-ghouta-cleared-rebels-54144500|archive-date=3 April 2018|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> ==Reports== A chemical attack in Douma occurred on 7 April 2018. The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations, a humanitarian organization that supervises medical services in the region, attributed seventy deaths to the attack. On-site medics reported smelling a [[chlorine gas|chlorine]]-like odour, but that symptoms and death toll pointed to something more noxious such as [[sarin]] nerve agent caused the deaths.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/08/dozens-reported-dead-chemical-attack-insyria-us-blames-russia/|title=Russia blames Israel for attack on Syrian air base as pressure mounts over gas atrocity|first1=Chris|last1=Graham|first2=Charlotte|last2=Krol|first3=Rob|last3=Crilly|first4=Josie|last4=Ensor|first5=Steven|last5=Swinford|first6=Ben|last6=Riley-Smith|first7=Louis|last7=Emanuel|date=8 April 2018|access-date=9 April 2018|via=www.telegraph.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409010530/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/08/dozens-reported-dead-chemical-attack-insyria-us-blames-russia/|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A video from the scene showed dead men, women, and children with foam at their mouths.<ref name="BBC April 8" /> The [[Syrian American Medical Society]] (SAMS) reported over 500 injured people at Douma "were brought to local medical centers with symptoms indicative of exposure to a chemical agent."<ref>{{cite news|title=Dozens killed in apparent chemical weapons attack on civilians in Syria, rescue workers say|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/dozens-killed-in-apparent-chemical-weapons-attack-on-civilians-in-eastern-ghouta--rescue-workers/2018/04/08/231bba18-3ac0-11e8-af3c-2123715f78df_story.html|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|date=8 April 2018|access-date=9 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412014259/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/dozens-killed-in-apparent-chemical-weapons-attack-on-civilians-in-eastern-ghouta--rescue-workers/2018/04/08/231bba18-3ac0-11e8-af3c-2123715f78df_story.html|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> SAMS also said a chlorine bomb struck a Douma hospital, killing six people, and that another attack with "mixed agents" affected a building nearby.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dw.com/en/dozens-dead-in-suspected-chemical-weapons-attack-in-syria/a-43296814|title=Dozens dead in suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria|publisher=[[dw.com]]|date=8 April 2018|access-date=9 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408114300/http://www.dw.com/en/dozens-dead-in-suspected-chemical-weapons-attack-in-syria/a-43296814|archive-date=8 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> According to the Syrian opposition groups, witnesses also reported a strong smell of chlorine and said effects appeared stronger than in previous similar attacks.<ref name=WPapr11>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/04/11/chlorine-sarin-or-something-else-the-big-questions-in-alleged-syrian-chemical-weapons-attack/|title=Chlorine, sarin or something else? The big questions in the alleged Syrian chemical weapons attack.|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|date=11 April 2018|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412094954/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/04/11/chlorine-sarin-or-something-else-the-big-questions-in-alleged-syrian-chemical-weapons-attack/|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Syrian opposition activists also posted videos of yellow compressed gas cylinders that they said were used during the attack.<ref name=WPapr11 /> Based on the symptoms and the speed with which the victims were affected, medical workers and experts suggested either a combination of chlorine with another gas or a nerve agent was used.<ref name=WPapr11 /> Several medical,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-ghouta/syrian-rebels-evacuated-from-douma-reach-northwest-monitor-idUSKBN1HH19M |title=Syrian rebels evacuated from Douma reach northwest: monitor |work=[[Reuters]] |date=10 April 2018 |access-date=11 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411070450/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-ghouta/syrian-rebels-evacuated-from-douma-reach-northwest-monitor-idUSKBN1HH19M |archive-date=11 April 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> monitoring, and activist groups<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|title=Suspected Syria chemical attack kills 70|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-43686157|access-date=8 April 2018|work=BBC News|date=8 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408004357/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-43686157|archive-date=8 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>—including the [[White Helmets (Syrian Civil War)|White Helmets]]—reported that two [[Syrian Air Force]] [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8]] helicopters dropped [[barrel bombs]] on the city of [[Douma, Syria|Douma]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43686157|title=Suspected Syria chemical attack kills 70|date=8 April 2018|via=www.bbc.com|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412001321/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43686157|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lusher|first=Adam|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-chemical-weapons-attack-latest-sarin-douma-eastern-ghouta-nerve-agent-chlorine-russia-us-uk-a8294741.html|title=Syrian government accused of using nerve agents as death toll from Douma 'chemical weapons attack' rises|date=8 April 2018|work=The Independent|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082234/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-chemical-weapons-attack-latest-sarin-douma-eastern-ghouta-nerve-agent-chlorine-russia-us-uk-a8294741.html|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/07/middleeast/syria-suspected-chemical-attack/index.html |title=Dozens dead in possible gas attack in Syria; regime denies allegation |first=Steve |last=Almasy |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=8 April 2018 |access-date=10 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412163548/https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/07/middleeast/syria-suspected-chemical-attack/index.html |archive-date=12 April 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/dozens-killed-in-apparent-chemical-weapons-attack-on-civilians-in-eastern-ghouta--rescue-workers/2018/04/08/231bba18-3ac0-11e8-af3c-2123715f78df_story.html |title=Dozens killed in apparent chemical weapons attack on civilians in Syria, rescue workers say |date=8 April 2018 |first1=Louisa |last1=Loveluck |first2=Erin |last2=Cunningham |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=9 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412014259/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/dozens-killed-in-apparent-chemical-weapons-attack-on-civilians-in-eastern-ghouta--rescue-workers/2018/04/08/231bba18-3ac0-11e8-af3c-2123715f78df_story.html |archive-date=12 April 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/11/world/middleeast/syria-chemical-attack-douma.html|title=In a Syrian Town, People Started Shouting: 'Chemicals! Chemicals!'|last=Hubbard|first=Ben|date=2018-04-11|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-03-13|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|quote=A network of citizen observers that tracks Syrian aircraft said that two Mil Mi-8 helicopters, which they said belonged to the Syrian government, had been seen flying from the Dumayr air base toward Douma near the time of the attack.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302114101/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/11/world/middleeast/syria-chemical-attack-douma.html|archive-date=2 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The bombs caused severe convulsions in some residents and suffocated others.<ref name="BBC April 8">{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43691291 | title=Syria war: Trump condemns Syria for 'chemical attack' on Douma | publisher=BBC | date=8 April 2018 | access-date=8 April 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408194759/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43691291 | archive-date=8 April 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> == Aftermath == {{further|2018 missile strikes against Syria}} The day after the chemical attack, all rebels controlling Douma agreed to a deal with the government to surrender the area.<ref>{{cite news|title=America vows to respond to a suspected chemical attack in Syria|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21740282-donald-trump-says-there-will-be-big-price-pay|access-date=10 April 2018|work=[[The Economist]]|date=9 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409191713/https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21740282-donald-trump-says-there-will-be-big-price-pay|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In the early hours of 9 April 2018, an air strike was conducted against [[Tiyas Military Airbase]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43694588 Syria conflict: Strikes hit Syrian airfield, state media report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412094420/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43694588 |date=12 April 2018 }}, BBC, 9 April 2018</ref><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-meast-crisis-syria-airfield/syria-says-suspected-u-s-missiles-fired-at-air-base-washington-denies-strike-idUSKBN1HG04Q Syria says suspected U.S. missiles fired at air base; Washington denies strike] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409171452/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-meast-crisis-syria-airfield/syria-says-suspected-u-s-missiles-fired-at-air-base-washington-denies-strike-idUSKBN1HG04Q |date=9 April 2018 }}, Reuters, 9 April 2018</ref> Two Israeli [[F-15I]] jets reportedly attacked the airfield from Lebanese airspace, firing eight missiles, of which five were intercepted, according to claims by Russia.<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-09/syria-base-is-hit-after-suspected-chemical-weapons-attack Russia Says Israel Carried Out Missile Attack on Syrian Base] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409173035/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-09/syria-base-is-hit-after-suspected-chemical-weapons-attack |date=9 April 2018 }}, Bloomberg, 9 April 2018</ref> According to the [[Syrian Observatory for Human Rights]] monitor, at least 14 people were killed and more were wounded.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/russia-syria-blame-israel-for-deadly-strike-on-syrian-air-base/|title=Russia, Syria blame Israel for deadly strike on Syrian air base|newspaper=Times of Israel|date=9 April 2018|access-date=9 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409172230/https://www.timesofisrael.com/russia-syria-blame-israel-for-deadly-strike-on-syrian-air-base/|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 10 April, member states proposed competing UN Security Council resolutions to handle the response to the chemical attack. The U.S., France, and UK vetoed a Russian-proposed UN resolution. Russia had also vetoed the U.S.'s proposed resolution to create "a new investigative mechanism to look into chemical weapons attacks in Syria and determine who is responsible."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/04/10/601153602/u-n-security-council-meets-about-syria-as-inspectors-prepare-to-head-in|title=USA, France and UK Vetoed Russian Resolution On Syria In U.N. Security Council|publisher=National Public Radio|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412001333/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/04/10/601153602/u-n-security-council-meets-about-syria-as-inspectors-prepare-to-head-in|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/russia-vetoes-syria-chemical-weapons-inquiry-11325688|title=Russia vetoes Syria chemical weapons inquiry|publisher=Sky News|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412222412/https://news.sky.com/story/russia-vetoes-syria-chemical-weapons-inquiry-11325688|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 14 April, France, the United Kingdom and the United States [[2018 missile strikes against Syria|launched missiles against four Syrian government targets]] in response to the attack.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-14/us-to-strike-syria-in-response-to-chemical-weapons-attack/9658900|title=Trump launches air strikes on Syria in wake of chemical attack|date=14 April 2018|work=ABC News|access-date=14 April 2018|language=en-AU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415050759/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-14/us-to-strike-syria-in-response-to-chemical-weapons-attack/9658900|archive-date=15 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The strikes were claimed to successfully destroy the chemical weapons capabilities of Syria. Nevertheless, according to Pentagon, the Syrian Arab Republic still retains the ability to launch chemical weapons attacks.<ref name="USA">[https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-syria-trying-to-sanitize-chemical-attack-site/29178713.html Russia, Syria Trying To 'Sanitize' Chemical Attack Site, U.S. Says] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422070933/https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-syria-trying-to-sanitize-chemical-attack-site/29178713.html |date=22 April 2018 }}, by [[RFE/RL]], 19 April</ref> ===Media commentary=== [[CBS]] journalist [[Seth Doane]] also traveled to Douma on 16 April, finding the site of the alleged attack where a neighbor reported a choking gas that smelled like chlorine. He took Doane to site of the impact and showed where the remains of a missile rested.<ref name="CBS">[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/syria-inside-douma-the-site-of-apparent-chemical-attack-2018-04-16/ "We couldn't breathe": Inside Douma, Syria, the site of apparent chemical attack] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418033228/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/syria-inside-douma-the-site-of-apparent-chemical-attack-2018-04-16/ |date=18 April 2018 }}, CBS, 16 April 2018, 6:31 PM</ref> [[Eliot Higgins]], a [[citizen journalist]], founder of [[Bellingcat]], and blogger investigating the Syrian civil war,<ref>{{cite news|last=Keefe|first=Patrick Radden|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/11/25/rocket-man-2|title=Rocket Man|work=The New Yorker|date=18 November 2013|access-date=21 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502224443/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/11/25/rocket-man-2|archive-date=2 May 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Burrell|first=Ian|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/with-isis-assad-and-putin-exposed-whos-next-on-citizen-journalist-eliot-higgins-list-9983831.html|title=With Isis, Assad and Putin exposed, who's next on citizen journalist|work=The Independent|date=18 January 2015|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118085519/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/with-isis-assad-and-putin-exposed-whos-next-on-citizen-journalist-eliot-higgins-list-9983831.html|archive-date=18 January 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> concluded based on geographical, video, and open source evidence that the chlorine gas was dropped by one of two [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8]] helicopters taking off from [[Dumayr Airbase]] 30 minutes earlier.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hunter|first=Molly|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/proof-syria-chemical-weapons-french-president-emmanuel-macron/story?id=54415655|title='We have the proof' Syria used chemical weapons, French President Emmanuel Macron says|work=ABC News|date=12 April 2018|access-date=21 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422062648/https://abcnews.go.com/International/proof-syria-chemical-weapons-french-president-emmanuel-macron/story?id=54415655|archive-date=22 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2018/04/11/open-source-survey-alleged-chemical-attacks-douma-7th-april-2018/|title=Open Source Survey of Alleged Chemical Attacks in Douma on 7th April 2018|work=bellingcat|date=11 April 2018|access-date=21 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423192447/https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2018/04/11/open-source-survey-alleged-chemical-attacks-douma-7th-april-2018/|archive-date=23 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Military officials in the US, UK, and France all insisted the bomb had been dropped from one of two Syrian government helicopters flying from the airbase at Dumayr.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chulov|first=Martin|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/12/syria-attack-experts-check-signs-nerve-agent|title=Syria attack: nerve agent experts race to smuggle bodies out of Douma|work=The Guardian|date=12 April 2018|access-date=21 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422082053/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/12/syria-attack-experts-check-signs-nerve-agent|archive-date=22 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported testimony from witnesses that medical personnel in Douma faced "extreme intimidation" from Syrian officials for them to remain silent about their patients treatment. They and their families were allegedly threatened by the Syrian government. Medics who tried to leave the area were said to have been heavily searched in case they were transporting samples.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chulov|first1=Martin|last2=Shaheen|first2=Kareem|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/17/syria-crisis-medics-intimidated-over-douma-gas-attack|title=Syrian medics 'subjected to extreme intimidation' after Douma attack|work=The Guardian|date=17 April 2018|access-date=26 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426012130/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/17/syria-crisis-medics-intimidated-over-douma-gas-attack|archive-date=26 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> ''The Guardian'' described Russian state media as "pushing" two lines; that they have spoken to witnesses denying the occurrence of any attacks, and that they have found chlorine-filled canisters in Douma "used for rebel attacks later blamed on the regime."<ref>{{cite news|last=Roth|first=Andrew|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/20/syrian-army-bombards-yarmouk-refugee-camp-in-damascus|title=Last Damascus rebels bombarded as Assad presses advantage in Syria|work=The Guardian|date=20 April 2018|access-date=17 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718170019/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/20/syrian-army-bombards-yarmouk-refugee-camp-in-damascus|archive-date=18 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In June 2018, a ''[[New York Times]]'' investigation found that Syrian military helicopters dropped a chlorine bomb on the rooftop balcony of an apartment building in Douma.<ref name="NY Times interactive 1"/> At least 34 victims were counted and their bodies "showed horrific signs of chemical exposure."<ref name="NY Times interactive 1"/> Dozens of videos and photos were examined with academics, scientists and chemical weapons experts.<ref name="NY Times interactive 2"/> ''The New York Times'' was unable to visit Douma, but forensically analysed the visual evidence from Syrian activists and Russian reports.<ref name="NY Times interactive 1"/> They collaborated with [[Forensic Architecture]] to reconstruct a three-dimensional model of the building, balcony and bomb, and analysed how damage to the bomb's casing related to the debris.<ref name="NY Times interactive 1"/><ref name="NY Times interactive 2"/><ref name="Bellingcat March"/> According to their findings, key pieces of evidence indicated the bomb was not planted, but dropped from the air by a Syrian military helicopter, and the evidence supported the involvement of chlorine.<ref name="NY Times interactive 1"/><ref name="NY Times interactive 2"/><ref name="Bellingcat March"/> The dent on the front of the bomb indicated it crashed nose down into the floor of the balcony and pierced the ceiling.<ref name="NY Times interactive 1"/> The front of the casing showed corrosion similar to that which is caused when metal is exposed to chlorine and water.<ref name="NY Times interactive 1"/><ref name="NY Times interactive 2">[https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/25/world/middleeast/syria-chemical-attack-douma.html "One Building, One Bomb: How Assad Gassed His Own People"] ''The New York Times''. 25 June 2018.</ref> The grid pattern imprinted on the underside of the bomb matched the metal lattice in the rubble that was over the balcony.<ref name="NY Times interactive 1"/><ref name="Bellingcat March"/> Twisted metal found in the rubble corresponded to rigging seen attached to similar weapons.<ref name="NY Times interactive 1"/><ref name="Bellingcat March">[https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2019/03/01/the-opcw-ffms-report-on-the-april-7th-2018-douma-chemical-attack-versus-the-open-source-evidence/ "The OPCW FFM’s Report on the April 7th 2018 Douma Chemical Attack Versus The Open Source Evidence"] [[Bellingcat]]. 1 March 2019.</ref> Apparent frost covering the underside of the casing indicated the canister of chlorine was emptied quickly.<ref name="NY Times interactive 1"/> According to ''The New York Times'', since the Syrian military controlled the airspace over Douma, it would be "almost impossible" for the attack to have been staged by opposition fighters who do not have aircraft.<ref name="NY Times interactive 2"/> ''The New York Times'' noted that remote access "cannot tell us everything", and environmental and tissue samples were also needed in chemical weapons investigations.<ref name="NY Times interactive 1">[https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/24/world/middleeast/douma-syria-chemical-attack-augmented-reality-ar-ul.html "How We Created a Virtual Crime Scene to Investigate Syria’s Chemical Attack"] ''[[The New York Times]]''. 24 June 2018.</ref> After six months of examining the evidence, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with experts such as Higgins and [[Theodore Postol]] of the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]], James Harkin concluded in ''[[The Intercept]]'' that Syrian Air Force helicopters dropped two chlorine canister bombs on Douma on 7 April 2018. Harkin noted that many chlorine attacks launched by Syrian forces in the past had resulted in no casualties, hypothesizing that—in contrast to the much more lethal sarin gas—Syrian forces likely employed chlorine at Douma to induce panic among the population rather than to kill many people. One of the canisters never released its payload and caused no deaths, but the other canister struck the weak roof of an apartment complex at an unexpected angle, releasing a very high concentration of chlorine that killed the people beneath it in a matter of minutes. According to Harkin, the frightened residents seen flocking to a nearby hospital and being doused with water in viral footage were not survivors of the chemical attack, but victims of conventional weapons and smoke inhalation.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harkin|first=James|url=https://theintercept.com/2019/02/09/douma-chemical-attack-evidence-syria/|title=What Happened in Douma? Searching for Facts in the Fog of Syria's Propaganda War|work=[[The Intercept]]|date=2019-02-09|access-date=2019-02-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209193818/https://theintercept.com/2019/02/09/douma-chemical-attack-evidence-syria/|archive-date=9 February 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A report released by the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPI), a Berlin-based think tank, determined that chlorine attacks accounted for 91.5% of all confirmed chemical weapons attacks attributable to the Syrian government throughout the war, including the 7 April 2018 attack on Douma.<ref name="GPPI">{{cite web | url=https://www.gppi.net/2019/02/17/the-logic-of-chemical-weapons-use-in-syria | title=Nowhere to Hide: The Logic of Chemical Weapons Use in Syria | publisher=Global Public Policy Institute | date=17 February 2019 | access-date=20 February 2019 |author1=Schneider, Tobias |author2=Lütkefend, Theresa | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221063359/https://www.gppi.net/2019/02/17/the-logic-of-chemical-weapons-use-in-syria | archive-date=21 February 2019 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syrian-military-linked-to-more-than-300-chemical-attacks-report-says/2019/02/16/c6e128de-31d4-11e9-ac6c-14eea99d5e24_story.html | title=Syrian military linked to more than 300 chemical attacks, report says | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=17 February 2019 | access-date=20 February 2019 | author=Loveluck, Louisa | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221224018/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syrian-military-linked-to-more-than-300-chemical-attacks-report-says/2019/02/16/c6e128de-31d4-11e9-ac6c-14eea99d5e24_story.html | archive-date=21 February 2019 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The report, supported by the [[Federal Foreign Office]] of Germany and the [[Robert Bosch Stiftung|Robert Bosch Foundation]], held Syrian government responsible for 98% of all recorded chemical weapons attacks over the course of the Syrian civil war and believes its use of chemical weapons "is best understood as part of its overall war strategy of collective punishment of populations in opposition-held areas".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.heise.de/tp/features/Assad-Regime-soll-fuer-fast-alle-von-336-angeblichen-Chemiewaffenangriffen-verantwortlich-sein-4311280.html | title="Assad-Regime" soll für fast alle von 336 angeblichen Chemiewaffenangriffen verantwortlich sein | publisher=Heise.de | date=18 February 2019 | access-date=20 February 2019 | author=Rötzer, Florian | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218163227/https://www.heise.de/tp/features/Assad-Regime-soll-fuer-fast-alle-von-336-angeblichen-Chemiewaffenangriffen-verantwortlich-sein-4311280.html | archive-date=18 February 2019 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="GPPI"/> Commenting on the OPCW FFM report of 2019, [[Bellingcat]] remarked that the detail provided, 'continues to make it clear that the Douma attack was yet another chlorine attack delivered by helicopter, using the same type of modified gas cylinders as seen in previous chlorine attacks.'<ref>Bellingcat 1 March 2019, [https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2019/03/01/the-opcw-ffms-report-on-the-april-7th-2018-douma-chemical-attack-versus-the-open-source-evidence/ opcw ffms report on the april] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302134505/https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2019/03/01/the-opcw-ffms-report-on-the-april-7th-2018-douma-chemical-attack-versus-the-open-source-evidence/ |date=2 March 2019 }}</ref> On 23 January 2020, Bellingcat published a report in which it argued that it is effectively impossible for the Douma attack to have been a [[false flag]] incident.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2020/01/23/the-opcw-douma-leaks-part-3-we-need-to-talk-about-a-false-flag-attack/|title=The OPCW Douma Leaks Part 3: We Need To Talk About A 'False Flag' Attack|work=Bellingcat|date=23 January 2020|access-date=25 January 2020|quote=The fakery, from the manufacturing of the cylinders to the chemical samples, would have had to be carried out to an incredibly high standard, indeed high enough that it could fool not only the FFM, but also multiple witnesses at the site of the attack.}}</ref> === OPCW investigation === {{POV section|date=February 2020}} {{See also|OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria}} On 10 April, the Syrian and Russian governments invited the [[Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons]] to send a team to investigate the attacks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.opcw.org/news/article/opcw-will-deploy-fact-finding-mission-to-douma-syria/|title=OPCW Will Deploy Fact-Finding Mission to Douma, Syria|website=www.opcw.org|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411192559/https://www.opcw.org/news/article/opcw-will-deploy-fact-finding-mission-to-douma-syria/|archive-date=11 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-ghouta-investiga/syria-invites-opcw-to-investigate-alleged-chemical-attack-in-douma-idUSKBN1HH218|title=Syria invites OPCW to investigate alleged chemical attack in Douma|work=Reuters|access-date=14 April 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414130054/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-ghouta-investiga/syria-invites-opcw-to-investigate-alleged-chemical-attack-in-douma-idUSKBN1HH218|archive-date=14 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> When the investigators arrived in Douma on 14 April,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.svoboda.org/a/29173316.html|title=МИД Франции: эксперты ОЗХО до сих пор не допущены в Думу|website=Радио Свобода|access-date=17 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418161335/https://www.svoboda.org/a/29173316.html|archive-date=18 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> their access to the site was blocked by Russia and Syria who cited security concerns.<ref name="aljazeera1">[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/chemical-weapons-inspectors-reach-douma-probe-gas-attack-180421130414025.html Chemical weapons inspectors reach Douma to probe gas attack] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423033142/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/chemical-weapons-inspectors-reach-douma-probe-gas-attack-180421130414025.html |date=23 April 2018 }}. [[Al Jazeera]]. Published 21 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.</ref><ref>Anthony Deutsch, Tom Perry (18 April 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/u-n-team-fired-upon-in-syria-while-visiting-suspected-chemical-sites-idUSKBN1HP0SG U.N. team fired upon in Syria while visiting suspected chemical sites] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418233023/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/u-n-team-fired-upon-in-syria-while-visiting-suspected-chemical-sites-idUSKBN1HP0SG |date=18 April 2018 }}. [[Reuters]]. Retrieved 22 April 2018.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/16/syria-chemical-attack-inspectors-unable-to-access-douma-site|title=Syria: chemical weapons inspectors barred from Douma site|first1=Patrick|last1=Wintour|first2=Julian|last2=Borger|date=16 April 2018|website=the Guardian|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416141500/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/16/syria-chemical-attack-inspectors-unable-to-access-douma-site|archive-date=16 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=blocked>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/16/world/middleeast/syria-douma-chemical-attack.html|title=Chemical Weapons Experts Blocked From Site of Syria Attack, Officials Say|agency=[[New York Times]]|date=16 April 2018|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416170652/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/16/world/middleeast/syria-douma-chemical-attack.html|archive-date=16 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 17 April, the OPCW was promised access to the site, but had not entered Douma<ref>{{cite news|title=OPCW chemical weapons investigators enter Douma after being 'blocked'|url=https://news.sky.com/story/opcw-chemical-weapons-investigators-enter-douma-11334938|date=17 April 2018|access-date=17 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417162037/https://news.sky.com/story/opcw-chemical-weapons-investigators-enter-douma-11334938|archive-date=17 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and was unable to carry out the inspection because a large crowd gathered at one site, while their reconnaissance teams came under fire at the other site. According to the OPCW director, "On arrival at site one, a large crowd gathered and the advice provided by the [[United Nations Department for Safety and Security|UNDSS]] was that the reconnaissance team should withdraw," and "at site two, the team came under small arms fire and an explosive was detonated. The reconnaissance team returned to Damascus."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/u-n-team-fired-upon-in-syria-while-visiting-suspected-chemical-sites-idUSKBN1HP0SG|title=U.N. team fired upon in Syria while visiting suspected chemical sites|first=Anthony|last=Deutsch|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=19 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418233023/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/u-n-team-fired-upon-in-syria-while-visiting-suspected-chemical-sites-idUSKBN1HP0SG|archive-date=18 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The OPCW statement did not lay blame on any party for the incident.<ref name="ajnews">{{cite news|title=OPCW: Fact-finding team still outside Syria's Douma|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/opcw-fact-finding-team-syria-douma-180418155208033.html|access-date=20 April 2018|publisher=Al Jazeera News|date=19 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419214216/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/opcw-fact-finding-team-syria-douma-180418155208033.html|archive-date=19 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The United States believes the Syrian government is stalling the OPCW to give itself time to remove evidence.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/chemical-weapons-coverup-suspected-in-syria-as-inspectors-remain-blocked/2018/04/20/1ca0f164-440a-11e8-b2dc-b0a403e4720a_story.html?noredirect=on|title=Chemical weapons coverup suspected in Syria as inspectors remain blocked|agency=''[[The Washington Post]]''|access-date=20 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422132647/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/chemical-weapons-coverup-suspected-in-syria-as-inspectors-remain-blocked/2018/04/20/1ca0f164-440a-11e8-b2dc-b0a403e4720a_story.html?noredirect=on|archive-date=22 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 19 April, the OPCW still was unable to access the sites. According to a [[United States Department of State|US State Department]] spokeswoman, there was "credible information" that "Russian officials are working with the Syrian regime to deny and to delay these inspectors from gaining access to Douma," and "to sanitize the locations of the suspected attacks and remove incriminating evidence of chemical weapons use."<ref name="USA"/> OPCW inspectors visited the site and collected samples on 21 April and 25 April 2018.<ref name="aljazeera1" /><ref name=opcw-20180425>{{cite press release |url=https://www.opcw.org/news/article/opcw-fact-finding-mission-visits-second-site-in-douma-syria/ |title=OPCW Fact-Finding Mission Visits Second Site in Douma, Syria |publisher=OPCW |date=25 April 2018 |access-date=7 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427101442/https://www.opcw.org/news/article/opcw-fact-finding-mission-visits-second-site-in-douma-syria/ |archive-date=27 April 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The organization said that it would submit to its member states a report "based on analysis of the sample results, as well other information and materials collected by the team."<ref>{{cite news|last=Dalton|first=Jane|title=Chemical weapons inspectors collect evidence in Douma|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-douma-chemical-weapons-attack-latest-eastern-ghouta-russia-assad-a8315746.html|access-date=24 April 2018|work=The Independent|date=21 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425033344/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-douma-chemical-weapons-attack-latest-eastern-ghouta-russia-assad-a8315746.html|archive-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> At the warehouse and the facility suspected by the authorities of the Syrian Arab Republic of producing chemical weapons in Douma, information was gathered to assess whether these facilities were associated with the production of chemical weapons or toxic chemicals that could be used as weapons. From the information gathered during the two on-site visits to these locations, there was no indication of either facility being involved in the production of chemical warfare agents or toxic chemicals for use as weapons. During the visit to Location 2 (cylinder on the roof), Syrian Arab Republic representatives did not provide the access requested by the FFM team to some apartments within the building, which were closed at the time. The Syrian Arab Republic representatives stated that they did not have the authority to force entry into the locked apartments.<ref>[https://www.opcw.org/fileadmin/OPCW/S_series/2018/en/s-1645-2018_e_.pdf OPCW interim report on douma chemical attack] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706165344/https://www.opcw.org/fileadmin/OPCW/S_series/2018/en/s-1645-2018_e_.pdf |date=6 July 2018 }}, 6 July 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018</ref> On 6 July 2018, the [[OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria|OPCW Fact-Finding Mission]] (FFM) published their interim report.<ref name=opcw-20180706>{{cite web|url=https://www.opcw.org/news/article/opcw-issues-fact-finding-mission-reports-on-chemical-weapons-use-allegations-in-douma-syria-in-2018-and-in-al-hamadaniya-and-karm-al-tarrab-in-2016/|title=OPCW Issues Fact-Finding Mission Reports on Chemical Weapons Use Allegations in Douma, Syria in 2018 and in Al-Hamadaniya and Karm Al-Tarrab in 2016|publisher=[[Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons]]|date=6 July 2018|access-date=14 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711064542/https://www.opcw.org/news/article/opcw-issues-fact-finding-mission-reports-on-chemical-weapons-use-allegations-in-douma-syria-in-2018-and-in-al-hamadaniya-and-karm-al-tarrab-in-2016/|archive-date=11 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The report stated that: <blockquote>The results show that no organophosphorous nerve agents or their degradation products were detected in the environmental samples or in the plasma samples taken from alleged casualties. Along with explosive residues, various chlorinated organic chemicals were found in samples from two sites, for which there is full chain of custody.<ref name=opcw-20180706/></blockquote> In March 2019, the OPCW FFM (Fact-Finding Mission) final report concluded: {{Quote|text=Regarding the alleged use of toxic chemicals as a weapon on 7 April 2018 in Douma, the Syrian Arab Republic, the evaluation and analysis of all the information gathered by the FFM—witnesses’ testimonies, environmental and biomedical samples analysis results, toxicological and ballistic analyses from experts, additional digital information from witnesses—provide reasonable grounds that the use of a toxic chemical as a weapon took place. This toxic chemical contained reactive chlorine. The toxic chemical was likely molecular chlorine.<ref name=OPCW-FFM-Mar2019/>{{rp|9.12}}}} The OPCW said it found no evidence to support the government's claim that a local facility was being used by rebel fighters to produce chemical weapons.<ref name="auto2" /> It was not the mandate of the fact-finding team to assign blame for the attack.<ref name="auto2" /> An engineering report written by Ian Henderson was leaked in 2019. The head of the OPCW, [[Fernando Arias]], said that, at the time the OPCW was assessing the Douma attack, Henderson was a liaison officer at the OPCW Command Post Office in Damascus who was temporarily assisting the FFM with information collection at some sites in Douma.<ref>{{cite report |authors=((OPCW TWG on Investigative Science and Technology)) |date=26 February 2018 |title=Summary of the First Meeting of the Scientific Advisory Board's Temporary Working Group on Investigative Science and Technology|url=https://www.opcw.org/sites/default/files/documents/SAB/en/sab-27-wp01_e_.pdf |publisher=Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons |page=13 |access-date=27 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606191817/https://www.opcw.org/sites/default/files/documents/SAB/en/sab-27-wp01_e_.pdf |archive-date=6 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="OPCW Remarks 28.05.19" /> Henderson concluded in his assessment that the evidence encountered at the site in Douma indicated that the liquefied-chlorine cylinders were not dropped from helicopters, but manually placed in their respective locations. This dissenting assessment was not included in the final report.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fisk|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Fisk|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/douma-syria-opcw-chemical-weapons-chlorine-gas-video-conspiracy-theory-russia-a8927116.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603054327/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/douma-syria-opcw-chemical-weapons-chlorine-gas-video-conspiracy-theory-russia-a8927116.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 June 2019|title=The evidence we were never meant to see about the Douma 'gas' attack|work=The Independent|date=23 May 2019|access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref> Arias, stated that Henderson's assessment "pointed at possible attribution, which is outside of the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission with regard to the formulation of its findings". Arias said: <blockquote>As is the case with all FFM investigations, the Secretariat encourages serious and professional debates within, so all views, analysis, information and opinions are considered. This is what the FFM did with the information included in the publicly disclosed document; all available information was examined, weighed and deliberated. Diverse views were expressed, discussed and considered against the overall facts and evidence collected and analysed. With regard to the ballistics data collected by the FFM, they were analysed by three external experts commissioned by the FFM, and working independently from one another. In the end, while using different methods and instruments, they all reached the same conclusions that can be found in the FFM final report.<ref name="OPCW Remarks 28.05.19">[[OPCW]], [https://www.opcw.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019/06/Remarks%20of%20the%20Director-General%20Briefing%20for%20States%20Parties%20on%20Syrian%20Arab%20Republic%20Update%20on%20IIT-FFM-SSRC-DAT.pdf Remarks of the Director-General at the Briefing for States Parties on Syrian Arab Republic:Update on IIT-FFM-SSRC-DAT] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620172919/https://www.opcw.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019/06/Remarks%20of%20the%20Director-General%20Briefing%20for%20States%20Parties%20on%20Syrian%20Arab%20Republic%20Update%20on%20IIT-FFM-SSRC-DAT.pdf |date=20 June 2019 }}, 28 May 2019</ref></blockquote> In discussing the FFM's work, Arias said that in carrying out its work the FFM collected samples, interviewed witnesses, then analysed the samples, and that there were then debates, and all the information given by any of the inspectors is considered "but sometimes it is not a fit to the conclusion and this information" from the staff member's report had been considered, analysed, and had "been given to the investigation team in charge of attributing responsibility." Scott Lucas further reported that Arias had confirmed that the Syrian government was "refusing any follow-up by the Investigations and Identification Team, denying visas and access to information held by Damascus".{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} [[Forensic Architecture]] worked with Bellingcat to examine and compare Ian Henderson's assessment with the OPCW's report, and the claims made by both reports about the dimensions of the cylinder and the crater in the roof.<ref name="Forensic Architecture">[https://forensic-architecture.org/programme/news/douma-and-the-opcw-leaks "Douma and the OPCW Leaks"] [[Forensic Architecture]]. 7 February 2020.</ref> The OPCW's final report included precise measurements of the size of the cylinders, the size of the crater in the roof, and the dimensions of the spaces in which they were found.<ref name="Forensic Architecture"/> Forensic Architecture used a technique called 'image-matching' to verify the dimensions provided in the OPCW's report.<ref name="Forensic Architecture"/> The image-matching of available photographs supported the measurements of the cylinder and crater provided in the OPCW's report.<ref name="Forensic Architecture"/> Henderson's report provided a diagram based upon a drawing from the OPCW's report.<ref name="Forensic Architecture"/> According to Forensic Architecture, if the OPCW's dimensions are followed, there appeared to be an error in Henderson's diagram and the proportion between the cylinder and crater were drawn incorrectly.<ref name="Forensic Architecture"/> The cylinder in Henderson's diagram was approximately 1.48m in length, 8&nbsp;cm longer than the size of the cylinder as determined by the OPCW's report.<ref name="Forensic Architecture"/> Forensic Architecture concluded that photographic evidence was consistent with a cylinder 1.4m in length and inconsistent with a cylinder of 1.48m.<ref name="Forensic Architecture"/> Henderson's diagram also superimposed over the crater an outline of the cylinder's harness in its damaged, deformed state.<ref name="Forensic Architecture"/> Forensic Architecture determined this drawing to be misleading because it should have taken into account that the deformation was caused by the impact on the ceiling and the subsequent impact on the floor of the room below.<ref name="Forensic Architecture"/> Forensic Architecture had originally collaborated with ''[[The New York Times]]'' to investigate the Douma chemical attack in July 2018.<ref name="Forensic Architecture"/> A letter by an employee within the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission (FFM), released by [[WikiLeaks]] in November 2019, raised concern over what its author perceived to be problems with a "redacted report" he co-authored. According to [[Bellingcat]], the final report released earlier in 2019 appeared to have responded to some of the author's points about the redacted report.<ref>{{cite web|website=Bellingcat|date=25 November 2019|url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2019/11/25/emails-and-reading-comprehension-opcw-douma-coverage-misses-crucial-facts/|title=Emails And Reading Comprehension: OPCW Douma Coverage Misses Crucial Facts|quote=The final report does not use the phrase 'reactive chlorine containing chemical.' Instead, the phrase 'chemical containing reactive chlorine' is used, as suggested in the letter.|access-date=26 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191126004832/https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2019/11/25/emails-and-reading-comprehension-opcw-douma-coverage-misses-crucial-facts/|archive-date=26 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> A whistleblower known only as "Alex" speaking to a panel appointed by the [[Courage Foundation]] said that, "Most of the Douma team felt the two reports on the incident, the Interim Report and the Final Report, were scientifically impoverished, procedurally irregular and possibly fraudulent."<ref name="BW20191121">{{cite news|last=Whitaker|first=Brian|url=https://al-bab.com/blog/2019/11/whistleblower-versus-watchdog-political-machinations-over-chemical-weapons-syria|title=Whistleblower versus watchdog: the political machinations over chemical weapons in Syria|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191124203659/https://al-bab.com/blog/2019/11/whistleblower-versus-watchdog-political-machinations-over-chemical-weapons-syria|work=Al-bab|date=21 November 2019|archive-date=24 November 2019}}</ref> The panel chosen by the Courage Foundation to meet the whistleblower included: [[Richard Falk]], a professor emeritus of international law at Princeton; [[José Bustani]], the former director-general of the OPCW (who did not attend the presentation in Brussels); [[John Holmes (British Army officer)|John Holmes]], former head of the [[Special Air Service]] and a board member of the [[British Syrian Society]] which is run by President Assad's father-in-law, [[Fawaz Akhras]];<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Times|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/former-sas-chief-and-diplomats-join-society-accused-of-endorsing-assad-regime-cktcch7dq|title=Former SAS chief and diplomats join society accused of endorsing Assad regime|date=15 April 2018|last=Gadher|first=Dipesh|access-date=4 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204233454/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/former-sas-chief-and-diplomats-join-society-accused-of-endorsing-assad-regime-cktcch7dq|archive-date=4 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BW20191121"/> [[Kristinn Hrafnsson]], editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks; Elizabeth Murray, a member of [[Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity]] (VIPS); Helmut Lohrer of [[International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War]]; and [[Günter Meyer]], director of the Centre for Research on the Arab World at the [[University of Mainz]].<ref name="BW20191121" /> Journalist [[Jonathan Steele]] was present at the Courage Foundation's day-long briefing with "Alex" in Brussels in October 2019.<ref name="BW20191121" /> In an article for ''[[CounterPunch]]'', Steele stated that the unidentified individual, whose real identity was known to the participants, had asserted that levels of chlorinated organic chemicals (COCs) "were comparable to and even lower" than the upper limits recommended by the [[World Health Organization]] for [[drinking water]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Steele|first=Jonathan|url=https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/11/15/the-opcw-and-douma-chemical-weapons-watchdog-accused-of-evidence-tampering-by-its-own-inspectors/|title=The OPCW and Douma: Chemical Weapons Watchdog Accused of Evidence-Tampering by Its Own Inspectors|work=[[CounterPunch]]|date=15 November 2019|access-date=16 January 2020}}</ref> The [[Bellingcat]] investigation team explained some of the aspects of the chemical behaviour of chlorine in a December 2019 article.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2019/12/12/chlorines-unique-fingerprints-the-april-7-2018-douma-incident-through-a-chemistry-lens/|title=Chlorine’s Unique Fingerprints: The April 7, 2018 Douma Incident Through A Chemistry Lens|work=Bellingcat|date=12 December 2019|access-date=16 January 2020}}</ref> The following month, a further article investigated the claims made by "Alex" insisting his "claims about chemistry are flawed and hugely overstated". Arguing that "Alex" implied that some of the compounds discovered can be found in "household chlorine-based bleach", Bellingcat responded that these were found in samples "taken at both Location 2 and 4, on multiple levels and on the adjacent street. Although it is possible that the inhabitants of Location 2 and 4 were in the habit of cleaning virtually everything in their buildings with bleach, including the walls and rubble in the street, it seems unlikely." "There is also the fact that the highest concentration of chlorinated organic compounds were found in a slat of wood underneath the cylinder on the bed at Location 4." His account, Bellingcat asserted, also ignored the fact that chlorine has rapid corrosive power; metallic objects at location 4 all had visible signs (the room where a cylinder was found on a beds). Further, "Immediately after the attacks, the metal frame around the munition at Location 4 was relatively clean and did not show any clear corrosion (the metal frame at Location 2 was removed by the time the OPCW inspectors arrived). However, by the time the inspectors visited 18 days after the attack, the frame at Location 4 had become heavily corroded." <ref name="BCAlex1">{{cite news|title=The OPCW Douma Leaks Part 1: We Need To Talk About 'Alex'|url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2020/01/15/the-opcw-douma-leaks-part-1-we-need-to-talk-about-alex/|work=Bellingcat|date=15 January 2020|access-date=15 January 2020}}</ref> As of November 2019, Alex had only made allegations through third-parties, each of whose account differed slightly.<ref name="BW20191121" /> The FFM's final report did make some comparison of levels, but only within the two "cylinder" buildings. It noted raised levels of some chemicals close to the suspicious gas cylinders and says a wood sample from underneath one of the cylinders "had the highest content of chlorinated organic compounds of all wood samples taken".<ref>{{cite news|last=Whitaker|first=Brian|url=https://al-bab.com/blog/2019/11/whistleblower-versus-watchdog-political-machinations-over-chemical-weapons-syria|title=Whistleblower versus watchdog: the political machinations over chemical weapons in Syria|work=albab|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191124203659/https://al-bab.com/blog/2019/11/whistleblower-versus-watchdog-political-machinations-over-chemical-weapons-syria|date=21 November 2019|archive-date=24 November 2019}}</ref> The Bellingcat Investigation Team have responded in detail to many of the statements made by "Alex" and have found them unreliable. They quote [[Brian Whitaker]] noting the individual has made misleading claims about the content of WikiLeaks disclosures, which themselves contradict his statements. The context is also problematic because of the pressures OPCW has come under, principally from Russia. The authors said the WikiLeaks documents appeared to be authentic, but remarked on the desultory and selective nature of release of documents by the organisation. There is a six-month gap in documents released by WikiLeaks, which Bellingcat comments, either suggest 'Alex' was not with the FFM for very long or do not support his account.<ref name="BCAlex1" /> In November 2019, Fernando Arias reaffirmed his defense of the FFM report, saying of differing views: "While some of these diverse views continue to circulate in some public discussion forums, I would like to reiterate that I stand by the independent, professional conclusion [of the investigation]."<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Guardian|date=25 November 2019|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/25/chemical-weapons-watchdog-opcw-defends-syria-report-after-leaks|title=Chemical weapons watchdog defends Syria report after leaks|first=Patrick|last=Wintour|access-date=25 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125203642/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/25/chemical-weapons-watchdog-opcw-defends-syria-report-after-leaks|archive-date=25 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Russia threatened to block the budget for the OPCW at the annual meeting in [[The Hague]] in 2019 if it included funding for a new team which would give the organisation powers to pin blame on culprits for the use of toxic arms. Previously the watchdog only had a mandate to say whether or not an attack had occurred. Russia, Iran and China led efforts to block the budget in 2018 but it passed by a majority of 99–27. "Moscow has consistently raised doubts over chemical attacks in Syria or insisted they were staged, and has recently highlighted a leaked report raising questions about a deadly chlorine attack in the Syrian town of Douma in April 2018. Tensions have also been high since four Russian spies were expelled from the Netherlands in 2018 for allegedly trying to hack into the OPCW's computers."<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=France 24|author=AFP|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20191125-showdown-looms-over-syria-chemical-weapons-probe|date=25 November 2019|title=Showdown Looms over Syria Chemical Weapons Probe|access-date=3 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129031104/https://www.france24.com/en/20191125-showdown-looms-over-syria-chemical-weapons-probe|archive-date=29 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On 28 November 2019 the bid by Russia to block funding for a new team that will identify culprits behind toxic attacks in Syria failed with member states at the global chemical watchdog overwhelmingly approving a new budget.<ref>france24.com [https://www.france24.com/en/20191128-russia-loses-bid-to-block-new-syria-chemical-weapons-probe russia loses bid to block new syria chemical weapons probe]</ref> On 17 January 2020, Bellingcat published a report in which it said it had found problems with the engineering assessment by the former OPCW inspector Ian Henderson.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2020/01/17/the-opcw-douma-leaks-part-2-we-need-to-talk-about-henderson/|title=The OPCW Douma Leaks Part 2: We Need To Talk About Henderson|work=Bellingcat|date=17 January 2020|access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> In February 2020, Fernando Arias, the Director-General of the OPCW, shared the findings of an independent investigation into possible breaches of confidentiality which was initiated after the unauthorised release of a document in May 2019.<ref name="OPCW Feb 2020">[https://www.opcw.org/media-centre/news/2020/02/opcw-independent-investigation-possible-breaches-confidentiality-report "OPCW: Independent Investigation into Possible Breaches of Confidentiality Report Released"] OPCW. 6 February 2020.</ref> The investigation took place between July 2019 and February 2020.<ref name="OPCW Feb 2020"/> The investigators determined that two former OPCW officials, referred to as Inspector A and Inspector B, violated their obligations concerning the protection of confidential information related to the Douma investigation.<ref name="OPCW Feb 2020"/> According to the investigators, Inspector A was not a member of the fact-finding mission (FFM), played a minor supporting role in the Douma investigation, and did not have access to all information gathered by the FFM team – including witness interviews, laboratory results, and analyses by independent experts.<ref name="OPCW Feb 2020"/> After the July 2018 interim report on Douma, it took a further seven months for the FFM to further investigate the incident and conduct the bulk of its work, and Inspector A no longer had any supporting role regarding the FFM during this period.<ref name="OPCW Feb 2020"/> According to the investigators, the assessment of Inspector A was an unofficial personal document created with incomplete information and without authorisation.<ref name="OPCW Feb 2020"/> Inspector B was a member of the FFM for the first time and travelled to Syria in April 2018.<ref name="OPCW Feb 2020"/> He never left the command post in Damascus because he had not completed the training necessary to deploy on-site.<ref name="OPCW Feb 2020"/> The majority of the FFM's work occurred after Inspector B separated with the OPCW at the end of August 2018.<ref name="OPCW Feb 2020"/> During a briefing in February 2020 to State Parties to the [[Chemical Weapons Convention]], Fernando Arias said: <blockquote>Inspectors A and B are not whistle-blowers. They are individuals who could not accept that their views were not backed by evidence. When their views could not gain traction, they took matters into their own hands and breached their obligations to the Organisation. Their behaviour is even more egregious as they had manifestly incomplete information about the Douma investigation. Therefore, as could be expected, their conclusions are erroneous, uninformed, and wrong.<ref name="OPCW Feb 2020"/></blockquote> == Reactions == === Government === {{flag|France}} – On 12 April, French President Emmanuel Macron said he has proof that the Syrian government attacked the town of Douma with chemical weapons and at least used chlorine.<ref name=BBCApr12>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43740626|title=Syria 'chemical attack': France's President Macron says he has proof|date=12 April 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412205303/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43740626|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=DW=180412>{{cite web | url=http://www.dw.com/en/macron-assad-regime-used-chemical-weapons-on-syrias-douma/a-43359542 | title=Macron: Assad regime used chemical weapons on Syria's Douma | work=[[Deutsche Welle]] | date=12 April 2018 | access-date=13 April 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412142209/http://www.dw.com/en/macron-assad-regime-used-chemical-weapons-on-syrias-douma/a-43359542 | archive-date=12 April 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Macron">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43740626|title=Macron 'has Syria chemical attack proof'|date=12 April 2018|via=www.bbc.com|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412205303/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43740626|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> {{flag|Iran}} – The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Iran)|Foreign Ministry of Iran]] spokesman said: "While the Syrian army has the upper hand in the war against armed terrorists, it is not logical for them to use chemical weapons. Such claims and accusations [about chemical weapons use] by the Americans and some Western countries signal a new plot against the government and nation of Syria and is an excuse for military action against them."<ref>"[https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/04/iran-syria-reaction-douma-chemical-attack-khamenei.html Iran condemns chemical weapons attacks, denies Syria’s role] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413044551/https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/04/iran-syria-reaction-douma-chemical-attack-khamenei.html |date=13 April 2018 }}". Al-Monitor. 9 April 2018.</ref> On 10 April, U.S. President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister [[Theresa May]], and French President [[Emmanuel Macron]] said in a statement following joint telephone calls that they had "agreed that the international community needed to respond to uphold the worldwide prohibition on the use of chemical weapons".<ref name=Guard11Apr18>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/11/mps-caution-may-against-syria-action-without-commons-vote|title=MPs caution May against Syria action without Commons vote|date=11 April 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411085947/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/11/mps-caution-may-against-syria-action-without-commons-vote|archive-date=11 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> {{flag|Qatar}} – The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Qatar)|Qatar Foreign Ministry]] condemned the use of chemical weapons, and called for an investigation into the incident and for punishment of those involved.<ref>{{cite news|title=Qatar calls for urgent international probe into chemical weapons use in Syria|url=https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/08/04/2018/Qatar-calls-for-urgent-international-probe-into-chemical-weapons-use-in-Syria|access-date=8 April 2018|work=The Peninsula|date=8 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408152725/https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/08/04/2018/Qatar-calls-for-urgent-international-probe-into-chemical-weapons-use-in-Syria|archive-date=8 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> {{flag|Russia}} – On 13 March 2018 the [[Chief of the General Staff (Russia)|Chief of the General Staff]] of the [[Russian Armed Forces]], [[Valery Gerasimov]], said the Russian military had "reliable intelligence" that suggested the rebels holding Eastern Ghouta, along with the [[White Helmets (Syrian Civil War)|White Helmets]] activists, were preparing to stage and film a chemical weapons attack against civilians, which the U.S. government would blame on the Syrian forces and use as a pretext to bomb the government quarter in Damascus.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-usa/russia-says-u-s-plans-to-strike-damascus-pledges-military-response-idUSKCN1GP0TY|title=Russia says U.S. plans to strike Damascus, pledges military response|date=13 March 2018|work=Reuters|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414080128/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-usa/russia-says-u-s-plans-to-strike-damascus-pledges-military-response-idUSKCN1GP0TY|archive-date=14 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/13/russia-military-threatens-action-against-the-us-in-syria.html|title=Russian military threatens action against the US in Syria|date=13 March 2018|publisher=CNBC|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416201906/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/13/russia-military-threatens-action-against-the-us-in-syria.html|archive-date=16 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interfax.ru/world/603320|title=Российские военные предупредили о подготовке боевиками провокации с химоружием в Восточной Гуте|date=13 March 2018|publisher=Interfax|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417022922/http://www.interfax.ru/world/603320|archive-date=17 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In the event that the lives of Russian servicemen should be threatened by U.S. strikes, Gerasimov said Russia would respond militarily — "against both the missiles and the platforms from which they’re launched".<ref>[https://ria.ru/syria/20180313/1516248303.html Боевики как повод для атаки: Россия готова ответить на удар США по Дамаску] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413124631/https://ria.ru/syria/20180313/1516248303.html |date=13 April 2018 }} RIA Novosti, 13 March 2018.</ref><ref>"[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/10/russian-officials-warn-of-possible-military-clash-with-us-over-syria Russian officials warn of possible military clash with US over Syria] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413135335/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/10/russian-officials-warn-of-possible-military-clash-with-us-over-syria |date=13 April 2018 }}". ''The Guardian.'' 10 April 2018.</ref> The [[Russian foreign ministry|Russian Foreign Ministry]] on 8 April denied chemical weapons had been used.{{cn|date=December 2020}} A few days later, the Russian military said members of the [[White Helmets (Syrian Civil War)|White Helmets organization]] filmed a staged attack.<ref>[https://www.newsru.com/russia/11apr2018/rupoliceinsyria.html Генштаб РФ объявил об отправке в Думу российской военной полиции] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412001439/https://www.newsru.com/russia/11apr2018/rupoliceinsyria.html |date=12 April 2018 }} NEWSru, 11 April 2018.</ref><ref name="tassdoumastaged">[http://tass.com/defense/999108 White Helmets staged Douma ‘chemical weapons attack’ on civilians — Russian General Staff] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412001123/http://tass.com/defense/999108 |date=12 April 2018 }} TASS, 11 April 2018.</ref> Then, on 13 April, the Russian [[Ministry of Defence (Russia)|Ministry of Defence]] said that it was Britain that staged the attack in order to provoke U.S. airstrikes.<ref name=usatoday413>{{cite news|title=Russia blames UK for Syria chemical attack that killed dozens, many of them children|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/04/13/russia-syria-chemical-attack-fabrication-foreign-intelligence-agency/514039002/|access-date=13 April 2018|work=usatoday.com|agency=Associated Press|date=13 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413183418/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/04/13/russia-syria-chemical-attack-fabrication-foreign-intelligence-agency/514039002/|archive-date=13 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 26 April, Russian officials held a press conference in [[The Hague]] where they presented several apparent witnesses from the Douma incident, flown in from Syria, who said that reported victims had not suffered symptoms of a chemical attack.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKil4rhDFW8&t=6968s|title=Live: OPCW Russian delegation holds press briefing in The Hague|date=26 April 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref> The Russian envoy to the OPCW said that videos of the attack were little more than "a sloppily staged video showing the pretence for a strike is completely groundless".<ref>{{cite web | first=Patrick|last=Wintour|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/26/obscene-masquerade-russia-criticised-over-douma-chemical-attack-denial|title='Obscene masquerade': Russia criticised over Douma chemical attack denial | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527165931/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/26/obscene-masquerade-russia-criticised-over-douma-chemical-attack-denial |archivedate=27 May 2018|newspaper=The Guardian|date=26 April 2018}}</ref> On 20 January 2020, Russia convened a [[United Nations Security Council|UN Security Council]] Arria meeting (not treated as formal council business)<ref name="Whitaker20200121">{{cite news|last=Whitaker|first=Brian|url=https://al-bab.com/blog/2020/01/russia-steps-its-campaign-discredit-opcw-investigations|title=Russia steps up its campaign to discredit OPCW investigations|work=albab|date=21 January 2020|access-date=29 January 2020}}</ref> where it presented the view that there was no evidence that chemical weapons were used in Douma. Ian Henderson appeared via video. The ambassador from Germany compared the presentation to ''[[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland|Alice in Wonderland]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pavia|first=Will|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russia-accused-of-misinformation-over-claim-syrian-chemical-attack-was-faked-870rfbb27|title=Russia accused of misinformation over claim Syrian chemical attack was faked|work=The Times|date=21 January 2020|access-date=29 January 2020}} {{subscription required}}</ref> {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the use of chemical weapons, and stress the need for a peaceful solution based on the principles of the Geneva Declaration and UN Security Council resolutions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Saudi Arabia condemns Douma chemical attack|url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1280981/saudi-arabia|access-date=8 April 2018|work=Arab News|date=8 April 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409180138/http://www.arabnews.com/node/1280981/saudi-arabia|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> {{flag|Syria}} – The Syrian state-owned [[Syrian Arab News Agency]] reported a Foreign and Expatriates Ministry source saying that Syria's alleged use of "chemical weapons have become an unconvincing stereotype, except for some countries which traffic with the blood of civilians and support terrorism in Syria."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sana.sy/en/?p=133561|title=Foreign Ministry: Allegations of using chemical weapons unconvincing stereotype – Syrian Arab News Agency|website=sana.sy|access-date=9 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409044109/https://sana.sy/en/?p=133561|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> {{flag|Turkey}} – A spokesman for President [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] said the "Syrian regime must give account for the attacks in various regions of the country at different times," and called upon the international community to address war crimes and crimes against humanity.<ref>{{cite news|title=Turkey condemns use of chemical weapons in Syria's Douma|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-douma-turkey/turkey-condemns-use-of-chemical-weapons-in-syrias-douma-idUSKBN1HF0GJ|access-date=8 April 2018|work=Reuters|date=8 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408142534/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-douma-turkey/turkey-condemns-use-of-chemical-weapons-in-syrias-douma-idUSKBN1HF0GJ|archive-date=8 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/those-behind-douma-chemical-attack-will-pay-erdogan-says-130099 | title=Those behind Douma chemical attack will pay, Erdoğan says | date=10 April 2018 | newspaper=Hurriyet Daily News | access-date=12 April 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411025933/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/those-behind-douma-chemical-attack-will-pay-erdogan-says-130099 | archive-date=11 April 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> {{flag|United Kingdom}} – Foreign Secretary [[Boris Johnson]] said that "these latest reports must urgently be investigated and the international community must respond" and that "investigators from the [[Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons]] [are] looking into reports of chemical weapons use in Syria have our full support. Russia must not yet again try to obstruct these investigations". He also condemned the use of chemical weapons in general, adding that "those responsible for the use of chemical weapons have lost all moral integrity and must be held to account."<ref>{{cite news|title=Boris Johnson demands international response to reported Syria poison gas attack|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/boris-johnson-demands-international-response-to-reported-syria-poison-gas-attack-36786074.html|access-date=8 April 2018|work=Belfast Telegraph|date=8 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408194227/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/boris-johnson-demands-international-response-to-reported-syria-poison-gas-attack-36786074.html|archive-date=8 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> {{flag|United States}} – President [[Donald Trump]] condemned the attack on Twitter, heavily criticizing Russia over it.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=realDonaldTrump |number= 982966315467116544|date= 8 April 2018|title=Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price...}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |user=realDonaldTrump |number= 982967389028569088|date= 8 April 2018|title=....to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!}}</ref> Trump canceled his trip to the [[8th Summit of the Americas]], sending Vice President [[Mike Pence]] in his place.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bierman|first1=Noah|title=Trump, facing twin crises, will skip South America summit|url=http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-essential-washington-updates-trump-to-skip-south-america-summit-to-1523366482-htmlstory.html|agency=Los Angeles Times|date=10 April 2018|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411035411/http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-essential-washington-updates-trump-to-skip-south-america-summit-to-1523366482-htmlstory.html|archive-date=11 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 11 April, via [[Twitter]], President Trump told Russia to "get ready" for "nice and new and 'smart' missiles." [[Vasily Nebenzia]], Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, said the United States would "bear responsibility" for any "illegal military adventure" they conducted.<ref name=BBCApr11>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-43727829|title=Trump warns Russia on Syria missile threat|date=11 April 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411112349/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-43727829|archive-date=11 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The following day, Trump appeared to soften his resolve, tweeting he "[n]ever said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all!"<ref name=Gearan>{{cite web | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-now-says-syria-attack-could-be-very-soon-or-not-so-soon-at-all/2018/04/12/aeb46a66-3e3a-11e8-974f-aacd97698cef_story.html | title=Trump signals a more deliberate approach on Syria, reviews options for possible attack | work=[[The Washington Post]] | date=12 April 2018 | access-date=13 April 2018 | last=Gearan | first=Anne | last2=Wagner | first2=John | last3=Ryan | first3=Missy | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413064521/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-now-says-syria-attack-could-be-very-soon-or-not-so-soon-at-all/2018/04/12/aeb46a66-3e3a-11e8-974f-aacd97698cef_story.html | archive-date=13 April 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[U.S. Defense Secretary]] [[James Mattis]] stated the U.S. was still waiting on the OPCW investigation, but that there were "a lot of media and social media indicators that either chlorine or sarin was used" in Douma.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/defense-secretary-james-mattis-says-attack-on-syria-is-not-yet-in-the-offing/ Defense Secretary James Mattis says attack on Syria "is not yet in the offing"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414011043/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/defense-secretary-james-mattis-says-attack-on-syria-is-not-yet-in-the-offing/ |date=14 April 2018 }} CBS News, 12 April 2018</ref><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-usa/mattis-says-i-believe-there-was-a-chemical-attack-in-syria-idUSKBN1HJ2ES Mattis says: 'I believe there was a chemical attack in Syria'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413083745/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-usa/mattis-says-i-believe-there-was-a-chemical-attack-in-syria-idUSKBN1HJ2ES |date=13 April 2018 }} Reuters, 12 April 2018</ref> The BBC quoted U.S. officials as saying urine and blood samples taken from victims had tested positively for traces of chlorine.<ref name="Macron" /> On 14 April, France, the United Kingdom and the United States [[2018 missile strikes against Syria|launched airstrikes against four Syrian government targets]] in response to the attack.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/13/politics/trump-us-syria/index.html|title=Trump: US launches strikes on Syria|author1=Kevin Liptak |author2=Jeff Zeleny |author3=Zachary Cohen|publisher=CNN|access-date=14 April 2018|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414010722/https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/13/politics/trump-us-syria/index.html|archive-date=14 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> === Intergovernment === {{flag|European Union}} – In a statement, the EU said "the evidence points towards yet another chemical attack by the regime" and "it is a matter of grave concern that chemical weapons continue to be used, especially on civilians. The European Union condemns in the strongest terms the use of chemical weapons and calls for an immediate response by the international community". It also called for the [[United Nations Security Council]] to identify the perpetrators and for Russia and Iran to influence Assad against launching such attacks.<ref>{{cite news|title=EU calls for response to 'yet another chemical attack' in Syria|url=https://reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-gouta-eu/eu-calls-for-response-to-yet-another-chemical-attack-in-syria-idUKKBN1HF0PX|work=Reuters|date=8 April 2018|access-date=8 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409043719/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-gouta-eu/eu-calls-for-response-to-yet-another-chemical-attack-in-syria-idUKKBN1HF0PX|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> {{flag|United Nations}} – On 10 April 2018, the [[United Nations Security Council]] failed to adopt three competing resolutions on an inquiry into the chemical attack, with Russia and the United States clashing over the issue and exchanging military threats.<ref>[https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/04/1006991 Security Council fails to adopt three resolutions on chemical weapons use in Syria] UN, 10 April 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/u-s-russia-clash-at-u-n-over-chemical-weapons-attacks-in-syria-idUSKBN1HG0D8 U.S., Russia clash at U.N. over chemical weapons attacks in Syria] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411180656/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/u-s-russia-clash-at-u-n-over-chemical-weapons-attacks-in-syria-idUSKBN1HG0D8 |date=11 April 2018 }} Reuters, 9 April 2018.</ref> The [[World Health Organization]] released a statement, with a reference to outside medical sources,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2018/chemical-attacks-syria/en/| publisher=World Health Organization| title=WHO concerned about suspected chemical attacks in Syria| date=11 April 2018| access-date=15 April 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415171403/http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2018/chemical-attacks-syria/en/| archive-date=15 April 2018| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref> that 43 people died while suffering "symptoms consistent with exposure to highly toxic chemicals."<ref name="USA"/> == See also == {{Portal|Asia|War}} *[[List of massacres during the Syrian Civil War]] *[[List of Syrian Civil War barrel bomb attacks]] *[[Syria chemical weapons program]] == References == {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [https://www.opcw.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019/03/s-1731-2019%28e%29.pdf Report of the Fact-Finding Mission Regarding the Incident of Alleged Use of Toxic Chemicals as a Weapon in Douma, Syrian Arab Republic, on 7 April 2018] * [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/24/world/middleeast/douma-syria-chemical-attack-augmented-reality-ar-ul.html New York Times interactive 24 June 2018] * [https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2019/03/01/the-opcw-ffms-report-on-the-april-7th-2018-douma-chemical-attack-versus-the-open-source-evidence/ Bellingcat: The opcw ffms report on 7 April 2018 douma chemical attack versus the open source evidence] * {{cite web |url=https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/23/leaked_opcw_report_raises_new_questions |title=Leaked OPCW Report Raises New Questions About 2018 Chemical Attack in Douma, Syria |publisher=Democracy Now |first=Amy |last=Goodman |date=23 May 2019}} * [https://wikileaks.org/opcw-douma/#OPCW-DOUMA%20-%20Release%20Part%204 Wikileaks OPCW-DOUMA] {{Syrian Civil War}} {{Use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Civil War}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Douma chemical attack, 2018}} [[Category:April 2018 events in Syria]] [[Category:Chemical weapons attacks]] [[Category:Douma District]] [[Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war in 2018]] [[Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving chemical weapons]] [[Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Syrian government]] [[Category:Rif Dimashq Governorate in the Syrian civil war]]'