Syria conflict: 'Chemical attacks kill hundreds'

[mollywobbles867]

Chemical weapons attacks have killed hundreds on the outskirts of Damascus, Syrian opposition activists say.

Rockets with toxic agents were launched at the suburbs of the Ghouta region early on Wednesday as part of a major bombardment on rebel forces, they say.
The Syrian army says the accusations have been fabricated to cover up rebel losses

Comments

[alexvdl]

Oh good. Fuck.

I don't even know what kind of response the US should have if we verify this shit. At the tail end of two decades plus wars, our shaky economy, and the massive military drawdowns that have already taken place...

[perthro]

A guy I know in Syria is saying 2200 people killed in his area. The streets are full of death.

I'm torn in between screaming that I don't want to hear another god damned thing about Turkey and Syria, and avidly watching the news, searching for people I know. Honestly... I think I'm less afraid of my friend dying than I am of him being severely injured but alive. He's come to terms with death, and so have I. But being kept alive after acid or nerve gas attacks is just... horrifying.

[fruitymangoes]

Turkey???

[perthro]

Yeah. Initially they were stationed on the border of Turkey and Syria, since at the time Turkey was more stable. Actually, I haven't heard from him in a few months... we'll see what happens.

[little_rachael]

I hope your friend's family is okay!

This is horrible. I hope the reports of hundreds dead aren't true, but I have a feeling they are...if not thousands.

[the_physicist]

With the Syrian government so blatantly using chemical weapons I hope they have all and every support taken away from them, damnit... any country that supports that regime...

[rhysande]

The U.N. Security Council has 15 members, five of which are permanent members:

China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States,

and the remaining ten non-permanent members which are elected in General Assembly and serve for two year terms. Argentina's Ambassador to the U.N. is the current council president.

I assume the reason only France, the United Kingdom, and the United States were listed is because of their position as permanent members of the council. China and Russia support the current Syrian government and blocked a stronger version of the letter. If China and/or Russia had also signed the letter it would have signaled a change in stance and been major news.