International chemical weapons experts have finally inspected the site of a suspected attack near Damascus which caused an international crisis. In a statement, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said its team had visited the town of Douma, one of the sites of the alleged attack and collected samples and other items.
Based on the analysis of the sample results as well as other information and materials collected by the team, the fact-finding mission will compile their report for submission to the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention for their consideration.
Yesterday’s visit to Douma came a week after the fact-finding mission of the OPCW first arrived in Syria, and amid growing questions about whether there would still be enough evidence for the investigators to gather. The US and France have accused Russia of blocking access to the site, where rescuers and medics say dozens of people were killed on April 7.
Last week Western states bombed several Syrian government sites in retaliation for the suspected attack on 7 April. Syria and Russia, which now control Douma, deny chemical arms were used.
Source: AIR