Jordan FM blasts ‘horrific’ chemical attack in Syria

By Laith al-Junaidi

AMMAN

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Monday described the Assad regime’s recent chemical weapons attack in the town of Douma -- located in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta district -- as a “horrific crime”.

“The chemical attack #Gouta is a horrific crime that must be investigated with a view to holding its perpetrators accountable,” Safadi tweeted on Monday.

“Concerted efforts must be made to reach a political solution based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254,” he said.

“Protecting civilians and meeting their needs is a priority,” he added.

On Saturday, at least 78 people were killed in a chemical weapons attack in Douma, the last opposition-held part of Eastern Ghouta (a suburb of Damascus), according to medical sources.

On Feb. 24, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2401, which called for a month-long ceasefire in Syria -- especially in Eastern Ghouta -- to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Despite the resolution, the Assad regime last month launched a major ground offensive -- backed by Russia -- aimed at capturing Eastern Ghouta’s last opposition strongholds.

Home to some 400,000 people, the district has remained the target of a crippling regime siege for the last five years that has rendered the delivery of humanitarian supplies almost impossible.

Last month, a UN commission of inquiry released a report accusing the regime of committing war crimes in Eastern Ghouta, including the use of chemical weapons against civilians.