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ISTANBUL. — The Syrian opposition accused President Bashar al-Assad’s forces of killing 1 193 people in chemical weapon attacks in suburbs of Damascus yesterday.The announcement was made by Badr Jamous, Secretary-General of the Syrian National Coalition, and George Sabra, President of the Syrian National Council, at a press conference in Istanbul.
The Syrian opposition leaders said the death toll was increasing since rescue operation was still going on in the Damascus suburb of Gouta.
Activists had earlier reported some 500 were killed as a result of toxic gas inhalation and exposure to chemical weapons.
While presenting some pictures of those killed in the chemical attacks, the Syrian opposition leaders called on the UN Security Council to convene an urgent meeting on the incident.
The members of Syrian opposition also underlined the importance of establishing a none fly-zone and opening a humanitarian corridor to give safe passage of civilians.
However, the Syrian army denied using chemical weapons in rebel- held areas in Damascus’ eastern countryside, saying such accusations were part of a “dirty” media war against Syria.
Syria’s Foreign Ministry said that the opposition’s allegations were total “lies,” reiterating that “even if we were in possession of such weapons, we would never use them.”
For his part, Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi charged that the rebels resorted to accuse the Syrian army of using the chemical weapons against rebels due to their “depression” with the major advancement of the government forces.
The opposition’s accusation came as a UN mission arrived in Syria to investigate possible use of chemical weapons in the conflict. The probe was requested by the Syrian government, who accused the Western-backed rebels of using sarin agent in the northern town of Khan al-Asal.
Meanwhile, the United States yesterday demanded “immediate access” for United Nations inspectors to the site of an alleged chemical weapons attack by government forces on civilians in Syria.
“We are working urgently to gather additional information,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest in a statement expressing deep concern over the reports.
“Today, we are formally requesting that the United Nations urgently investigate this new allegation,” Earnest said, saying a UN team in the country was ready to move.
“For the UN’s efforts to be credible, they must have immediate access to witnesses and affected individuals, and have the ability to examine and collect physical evidence without any interference or manipulation from the Syrian government.”
“If the Syrian government has nothing to hide and is truly committed to an impartial and credible investigation of chemical weapons use in Syria, it will facilitate the UN team’s immediate and unfettered access to this site.”
Syria’s main opposition group earlier accused the government of “massacring” more than 1 300 people in chemical weapons attacks near Damascus on Wednesday, saying many of the victims choked to death.
The UN team is in Syria to probe previous allegations of chemical weapons strikes leveled against both sides during the 29-month conflict. —Xinhua/AFP.
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