The President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Salem Al-Meslet, has called for measures to be taken against the Assad regime under Chapter 7, Article 21 of UN Security Council Resolution 2118, after the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed the Assad regime’s responsibility for chemical attacks on Douma in 2018.
In a statement, Al-Meslet emphasized that the Assad regime has repeatedly disregarded UN Resolution 2118 and continues to use chemical weapons against civilians. He called for increased international efforts to isolate the regime, hold it accountable for its actions, and bring about political transition in Syria. He also condemned the regime’s involvement in the trade of Captagon and its use of barrel bombs.
The OPCW report found that on the evening of April 7, 2018, at least one helicopter belonging to the 25th Division, known as the “Tiger” forces, dropped two yellow cylinders containing toxic chlorine on two residential buildings in a civilian-populated area in Douma. The attack resulted in the deaths of 43 people and injuries to dozens more. The OPCW investigative team based its findings on a comprehensive assessment of various types of evidence collected and analyzed by the organization.
This is the third time the OPCW has confirmed the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons against civilians in Syria. The SOC President’s call for action under Article 21 comes in light of the OPCW’s confirmation of the Assad regime’s responsibility for the attacks on Douma.
(Source: SOC’s media department)
