Bad and senseless news to make your day. Nothing justifies this on kids and old populace
An image grab taken from a video released by the Syrian civil defence in Douma shows unidentified volunteers giving aid to children at a hospital following an alleged chemical attack on the rebel-held town. (HO/AFP/SYRIA CIVIL DEFENCE)
US President Donald Trump has lashed out at Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his allies Russia and Iran over a suspected chemical attack, saying there will be a "big price to pay".
Medical sources say dozens of people were killed in an attack on the rebel-held town of Douma on Saturday.
The UN Security Council is expected to discuss the crisis on Monday.
Both Syria and Russia deny a chemical attack took place and have reached an evacuation deal with the rebels.
Outrage at the alleged use of chemical weapons has been widespread with Pope Francis saying, "Nothing, nothing can justify the use of such devices of extermination against defenceless people and populations."
The European Union has called for an "immediate response by the international community".
One video, recorded by rescue workers known as the White Helmets, shows a number of men, women and children lying lifeless inside a house, many with foam at their mouths.
Other unverified footage shows young children crying as they are treated in a makeshift medical unit.
However, it has not been possible to verify independently what actually happened, or the actual number of dead.
The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations, which runs medical facilities in the Eastern Ghouta, told BBC News that 70 deaths had been confirmed.
According to the US-based Syrian American Medical Society, at least 48 people died, showing "symptoms indicative of exposure to a chemical agent".
More than 500 people were brought to medical centres with such symptoms, it said, quoting emergency services in Douma.
A doctor at an overwhelmed hospital in the rebel-controlled town told the BBC's Joel Gunter he had panicked as his own children coughed from gas seeping into the basement where they were hiding.
A medical student described in horrifying detail how he had treated a dying man.
Most patients were women and children, the student said. He treated one of the six who died, a man aged about 35. “His pupils were dilated and he had foam in his mouth. His heart was very slow. Then he coughed blood into his mouth as well. I could see he was going to die.”
A test of resolve
Analysis by James Landale, BBC diplomatic correspondent
The reported chemical weapons attack on the rebel-held enclave of Douma poses some hard questions.
For the civilians, the families and children there, can they continue to bear the terror, bloodshed and inhumanity being rained upon them?
For the militant rebel fighters, do they believe their struggle and continued resistance is still worth the price they and the civilians are being forced to pay by the Syrian government?
For Russia, how far is it prepared to defend its allies' apparent use of chemical weapons when its own apparent use of a nerve agent in the UK is subject to so much global condemnation?
And for the international community, how will it respond to what is clearly a test of its resolve one year on from the Khan Sheikhoun chemical attack?
Will the ritual condemnations be backed by military action in an attempt to deter President Assad's further use of chemical weapons? Or will the West believe that any escalation would simply prolong a conflict that many just want to end?
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43691291
An image grab taken from a video released by the Syrian civil defence in Douma shows unidentified volunteers giving aid to children at a hospital following an alleged chemical attack on the rebel-held town. (HO/AFP/SYRIA CIVIL DEFENCE)
US President Donald Trump has lashed out at Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his allies Russia and Iran over a suspected chemical attack, saying there will be a "big price to pay".
Medical sources say dozens of people were killed in an attack on the rebel-held town of Douma on Saturday.
The UN Security Council is expected to discuss the crisis on Monday.
Both Syria and Russia deny a chemical attack took place and have reached an evacuation deal with the rebels.
Outrage at the alleged use of chemical weapons has been widespread with Pope Francis saying, "Nothing, nothing can justify the use of such devices of extermination against defenceless people and populations."
The European Union has called for an "immediate response by the international community".
One video, recorded by rescue workers known as the White Helmets, shows a number of men, women and children lying lifeless inside a house, many with foam at their mouths.
Other unverified footage shows young children crying as they are treated in a makeshift medical unit.
However, it has not been possible to verify independently what actually happened, or the actual number of dead.
The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations, which runs medical facilities in the Eastern Ghouta, told BBC News that 70 deaths had been confirmed.
According to the US-based Syrian American Medical Society, at least 48 people died, showing "symptoms indicative of exposure to a chemical agent".
More than 500 people were brought to medical centres with such symptoms, it said, quoting emergency services in Douma.
A doctor at an overwhelmed hospital in the rebel-controlled town told the BBC's Joel Gunter he had panicked as his own children coughed from gas seeping into the basement where they were hiding.
A medical student described in horrifying detail how he had treated a dying man.
Most patients were women and children, the student said. He treated one of the six who died, a man aged about 35. “His pupils were dilated and he had foam in his mouth. His heart was very slow. Then he coughed blood into his mouth as well. I could see he was going to die.”
A test of resolve
Analysis by James Landale, BBC diplomatic correspondent
The reported chemical weapons attack on the rebel-held enclave of Douma poses some hard questions.
For the civilians, the families and children there, can they continue to bear the terror, bloodshed and inhumanity being rained upon them?
For the militant rebel fighters, do they believe their struggle and continued resistance is still worth the price they and the civilians are being forced to pay by the Syrian government?
For Russia, how far is it prepared to defend its allies' apparent use of chemical weapons when its own apparent use of a nerve agent in the UK is subject to so much global condemnation?
And for the international community, how will it respond to what is clearly a test of its resolve one year on from the Khan Sheikhoun chemical attack?
Will the ritual condemnations be backed by military action in an attempt to deter President Assad's further use of chemical weapons? Or will the West believe that any escalation would simply prolong a conflict that many just want to end?
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43691291
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