Another Chemical Attack Demands an End to the Syrian Tragedy

Another chemical attack has been inflicted upon the people of Syria by the government of Bashar al Assad - at least 70 people have suffocated to death, in this latest crime against humanity, perpetrated in the gross human failing that is the Syrian war.

Medical workers and activists in Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Syria - the last rebel holdout of the eight-year war, have confirmed the suffocating deaths on Saturday with victims suffering convulsions and foaming at the mouth, symptoms of the use of a chemical agent. Another 1,000 Syrians have reported been injured in the event. 

Witnesses reported that the chemical attack, believed to be Sarin gas, which has been used before on civilians by the Assad regime, was dropped by barrel-bomb from a helicopter over the area. 

In 2013, rockets carrying Sarin gas were released by the Assad regime also upon Eastern Ghouta, killing hundreds, including many children. In April 2017, according to a BBC-News report, another Sarin attack killed 80 Syrians in the rebel held town of Khan Sheikhoun. The United Nations (UN) has held the Assad government responsible. Also in this year, 2018, reports have indicated the continued use of chemical agents upon civilians in Syria.

While UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres "is deeply concerned about violence in Douma, Syria", expressed via Twitter this morning, he also "calls on all parties to cease fighting" stating that "It is crucial that civilians be protected", but more so than a mere temporary ceasefire, the human cost of innocents in the seemingly perpetual war, clearly demands a full end to the violence.

Now is the hour for the sake of all civilians in Syria to end the tragedy of the war. Now is the time to establish spheres within Syria as a measure to full peace. Now is the necessity to end these mounting crimes against humanity by the Assad regime.