Press Release
Syrian Coalition
Media Department
August 21, 2017
Today marks the fourth anniversary of the massacre of the century which was committed by the Assad regime using sarin against civilians in the eastern Ghouta Damascus suburb on August 21, 2013. The massacre claimed the lives of around 1,400 civilians and left hundreds more wounded. This time the anniversary is different and bitterer than before.
The criminals have not only escaped accountability for this horrible crime, but also committed more similar crimes, the most recent of which took place in the town of Khan Sheikhoun in rural Idlib in April 4, 2017.
Neither those who issued the orders, planned, or even those who executed the crime have been prosecuted yet. All those involved in this crime are still at large committing more crimes at will. Moreover, the pledge to dismantle the Assad regime’s chemical weapons arsenal was betrayed.
In a report issued on August 14, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said it had recorded a total of 207 chemical weapons attacks since 2011, 174 of which took place after the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2118 on September 27, 2013. The resolution threated measures under Chapter VII of the UN Charter of the United Nations in the case non-compliance.
The Syrian Coalition renews calls on the UN Security Council and the international community to assume their responsibilities to hold accountable hose responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria and all other crimes against civilians. Urgent action is needed to ensure these crimes are stopped.
Despite the continued failure and inaction by the international community, the Syrian people will remain true to the blood of their fallen heroes. This inaction will only increase their determination to achieve the goals of the revolution of freedom, justice and dignity.
May our wounded recover, our detainees be free, and our fallen heroes rest in peace.
Long live Syria and the Syrian people, free and with honor.
