This week the BBC reported the use of chemical weapons within the Eastern Ghouta region of Syria, which resulted in the deaths of 70 individuals, developing the casualty count of the Syrian civil war. This attack was reported by the White Helmets of the Eastern Ghouta region through the use of social media platforms to document the aftermath of the gas attack. The same week the U.S. gave input, arguing that Russia should be held accountable if it was identified that the attack was produced from the use of chemical weapons.
Disturbingly, the Syrian government has labelled this documented assault as a ‘fabrication’ from the masses and denied all forms of responsibility, consequence and management. The national media this week issued a statement regarding the incident, arguing that ‘‘Jaish al-Islam terrorist outlets are making chemical attack fabrications in an exposed and failed attempt to obstruct the advances by the Syrian Army.’’ In response the U.S. issued a conflictual statement explaining its monitoring of the ‘very disturbing’ reports, saying that the ‘‘regime’s history of using chemical weapons against its own people is not in dispute.’’
This callous and brutal attack carried out by the Syrian government upon its own people highlights the violent and military milieu of the area where core values such as humanitarian and political rights are being violated on a daily basis. The government’s clear neglect of the safety, security and freedoms of its people further creates a clear global index needed to be addressed. The urgent need for international intervention and management is a core necessity which must be implemented within the area in order to secure peace, hope and safety once more.
Despite international meditators inclusive of both America and Russia, the Syrian conflict still continues to ferment into new forms of political conflict and violence. In April 2017, in the town of Khan Shaykhun, 80 people were killed in a sarin attack. This was investigated by the UN and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) who held the Syrian government responsible. Additionally, earlier this year it was alleged that the Syria carried out further assaults, releasing chlorine gas bombs within rebel strong holds. The total death toll today in eastern Ghouta sits currently at 1600 people, remaining a steadily increasing statistic each day.
The callous disregard for human life displayed by Syria creates a clear index to the globalized world of the need for intervention and resolution to be addressed. The inhumane bombings and use of chemical weapons through this attack destroyed indiscriminately the lives of men, women and children. The social, political and military dogma of the Syrian conflict must be critically changed in order to promote and sustain regional peace for future generations.
