The European Commission Says It Has 'Proof' Chemical Weapons Were Used In Douma Attack
Image Credit: Al Jazeera
The European Commission said Thursday it had "proof" that chemical weapons were used, allegedly by the Assad regime, in an attack on the Syrian town of Douma.
"In the report we published Sunday it is written that on the basis of our reports the majority of evidence indicates that chemical weapons were used in Syria in the attack," Spokesperson Maja Kocijancic told reporters.
On Sunday the European External Action Service (EEAS) said in a statement that "reports from Douma, under the siege and bombardment by regime forces and its allies, indicate that a high number of civilians were killed yesterday evening, including families who perished in the shelters they were hiding in. The evidence points towards yet another chemical attack by the regime." The statement continued, "Almost a year to the day of the horrific attacks in Khan Sheikhoun, it is a matter of grave concern that chemical weapons continue to be used, especially on civilians."
"The European Union condemns in the strongest terms the use of chemical weapons and calls for an immediate response by the international community." However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday that Germany would not be taking part in a military campaign in Syria. "Germany will not take part in possible military action - I want to make clear again that there are no decisions - but we see, and support this, that everything is being done to send a signal that this use of chemical weapons is not acceptable," she said. "NATO considers the use of chemical weapons to be a threat for international peace and security and those responsible will be held accountable," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.
"The latest attack was horrendous, with dozens of people including many children killed." Consultations are underway between NATO allies on how to respond to the attack, Stoltenberg added.
