CHEMICAL weapons inspectors have collected samples from Douma, two weeks after a suspected gas attack prompted retaliatory strikes by Western powers on the Syrian government’s chemical facilities.
The site visit, confirmed by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), would allow the agency to proceed with an independent investigation to determine what chemicals, if any, were used in the April 7 attack that medical workers said killed more than 40 people.
Douma was the final target of the government’s sweeping campaign to seize back control of the eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus from rebels after seven years of revolt. Militants gave up the town days after the alleged attack.
The US, France, and Britain blamed President Bashar Assad’s government for the attack, and struck suspected Syrian chemical weapons facilities one week later.
The Syrian government and its ally Russia denied responsibility.
OPCW inspectors arrived in Damascus just hours before the April 15 strikes but were delayed from visiting the site until Saturday, leading Western officials and Syrian activists to accuse Russia and the Syrian government of staging a cover-up.
The OPCW will draft a report based on the findings, “as well other information and materials collected by the team.”
The OPCW is not mandated to apportion to blame for the attack.
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