The team of experts from the United States that investigates the use of chemical weapons in Syria concludes that the regime of Bachar el Asad is responsible for the attack with sarin gas perpetrated on April 4 in the town of Jan Sheijun. Nearly one hundred civilians lost their lives. The accusation is included in the final report of the mission. It also points to the Islamic State for the use of mustard gas at Um-Housh, on September 16, 2016.
The final result of the investigation of the attack was announced in a brief press release by the US representative to the UN, Nikki Haley. The members of the Security Council were expected to receive the detail on Thursday, October 26. In the previous reports, he already identified the use of the substances but it was pointed out that the attackers were directly identified.
The United States unilaterally decided to intervene by bombing the military base of the Syrian regime in Homs, from where it allegedly took off the plane that launched the sarin gas against civilians in the opposition enclave. The United Kingdom and France supported the action, despite the fact that Syria denied the use of chemical weapons. “The report confirms what we have known for a long time,” says Haley.
It is the fourth time that the joint UN mission has accused Damascus of using chemical weapons. The British delegation to the agency considers that the conclusion of the final report becomes clear in this regard and condemns the violation of the rules of war. That is why it makes a new appeal to the international community to ensure the regime of El Asad assumes its responsibility.
The latest report of the UN experts is published after last Tuesday Russia vetoed a resolution in which he extended his mandate. The current mandate ends in mid-November. Moscow refused to renew it because it considered it a manoeuvre by Washington, London and Paris to politicize the team’s work. He made it clear, in any case, did not close the door to expand it.
France, which this month holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council, deeply regretted the position of the Russian delegation and considers it necessary for the investigation to continue, in order to demand responsibility from those who used these weapons prohibited by the non-proliferation regime. The mechanism, he insisted, proved to be useful for collecting evidence.
The US again asks Russia, after the publication of the final report, to stop protecting the Syrian “dictator”. “This must end now,” he urges, “continuing to ignore these overwhelming evidence is a sign of contempt for agreed international norms.” The Western powers believe it is vital that the Security Council sends a clear message that the use of these substances will not be tolerated.
Shirley Mist has been involved in fashion and design for many years. She has also written extensively for many online publications. She currently writes for The Tribune World and is a valued member of our team.