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Chemical weapons watchdog says chlorine was used in Douma

In this Monday, April 16, 2018 photo, people stand in front of damaged buildings, in the town of Douma, the site of a suspected chemical weapons attack, near Damascus, Syria. The global chemical weapons watchdog says an investigation has found "reasonable grounds" that chlorine was used as a weapon in an attack on the Syrian town of Douma last year. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons issued a final report Friday, March 1, 2019 of its Fact Finding Mission probe into the attack on April 2018. The United States, Britain and France blamed Syrian government forces for the attack and launched punitive airstrikes. (Hassan Ammar / AP)
By Mike Corder Associated Press

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The global chemical weapons watchdog said Friday it found “reasonable grounds” that chlorine was used as a weapon in an attack on the Syrian town of Douma last year.

The finding was contained in a detailed report by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ fact finding mission that investigated the attack on April 7, 2018. Medical workers said at the time that the attack killed more than 40 people.

In a statement, the OPCW said the mission visited Douma, analyzed samples taken from the scene and from people affected, interviewed witnesses and studied toxicological and ballistics analyses.

The data, it said, provided “reasonable grounds that the use of a toxic chemical as a weapon” took place.

“This toxic chemical contained reactive chlorine. The toxic chemical was likely molecular chlorine.”

The Fact Finding Mission’s mandate does not include laying blame for the attack.

The United States, Britain and France blamed Syrian government forces for the attack and launched punitive airstrikes. Syria denied responsibility.

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 OPCW said the report has been sent to the United Nations Security Council.

Russia, a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad, also rejected claims that Syria was responsible for the attack and even brought what it called witnesses to The Hague to describe their experiences.