Press Statement
Khaled Khoja
President of the Syrian Coalition
March 25, 2015
Following reports yesterday of the Assad regime dropping barrel bombs filled with chlorine on Binnish in Idlib, President of the Syrian Coalition said:
“Yesterday’s gas attack on Binnish follows a series of carefully-orchestrated small-scale chemical attacks launched by Assad’s militias on different areas across Syria; most recently on Sarmin in Idlib on Monday 16 of this month, on Hayan and Haraytan in Aleppo on February 21, and on Nawa in Deraa on February 23.
“Assad is stepping up the use of noxious gas because he knows there will be no action whatsoever to stop him as the international community has repeatedly signalled that Assad is not a priority to be dealt with for now. Yesterday’s chemical attack is yet another unmistakable sign that Assad has got the message.
“Assad’s inner circle, including Iranian advisors, also calculate that any action against the regime is impossible at this stage as it will have negative effects on a nuclear deal world powers are currently negotiating with Assad’s masters in Iran.
“The OPCW Fact-Finding Mission conducted an investigation into the use of chlorine as a weapon in Syria and in January this year found that chlorine was used in three rebel-held villages last year, and was delivered by helicopters, which only the regime has access to. Yet no action was taken to stop regime’s chemical atrocities.
“That is why any investigation into the latest chemical attacks must not only establish the use of chemical substances but also find out the perpetrators behind these heinous crimes. The UN Security Council needs to pass a resolution supporting any such investigation, with a clear and enforceable mandate to stop those heinous attacks upon conclusion of the investigation and to ensure whoever is responsible are held to account.”
