New chemical attacks reported in Syria, and Trump administration blames Russia

Source: Washington Post

By Louisa Loveluck and Carol Morello January 23 at 6:45 PM

LONDON — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson blamed Russia on Tuesday for failing to rein in poison gas attacks on Syrian civilians amid a spike in reported chemical strikes against the final rebel-held pockets of the country.

Doctors inside Syria have reported four such attacks since the start of the year, including two on Monday. Medical staff said dozens of civilians have been treated for symptoms of exposure to chlorine, including many women and young children.

While the Syrian government’s use of nerve agents in densely populated opposition areas has drawn international censure and prompted President Trump to order missile strikes against a Syrian military base in April, chlorine attacks have continued unabated throughout the six-year war, according to monitoring groups.

Speaking in Paris, Tillerson blamed Russia for the apparent use of chlorine gas Monday in the besieged Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta.

-snip-


Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/new-chemical-attacks-reported-in-syria-and-trump-administration-blames-russia/2018/01/23/52167730-005b-11e8-86b9-8908743c79dd_story.html