Toronto, ON- The Latamneh area in the suburbs of Hama was hit today by an airstrike which deployed a chemical weapons agent. At least 70 civilians, including medical personnel, were injured from exposure to the chemical agent. Patients were taken to area hospitals and were experiencing the following symptoms: nausea, agitation, foaming of the mouth, muscle spasms, and pinpoint pupils. Two patients went into cardiac arrest. No deaths have been reported.
The patients had their clothing removed, were washed with soap and water, and treated with atropine and hydro cortisone.
Many medical staff and ambulance drivers were also injured, and experienced bronchial irritation as they were transporting and treating patients affected by the chemical agent, including two paramedics from the Sham Humanitarian Foundation. Area hospitals did not have protective masks to protect the staff from exposure and injury.
The Tashreen and Qaboun neighborhoods in eastern Damascus city, were also attacked yesterday with a chemical agent injuring dozens by intoxication and exposure to the poisonous gases.
In addition to the chemical attacks, the Ibn al Haitham pharmaceutical factory in western Aleppo was also put out of service yesterday, after the Mansurah town suffered an intense bombardment.
"The security council resolution 2118 (2013) prohibits the use of any type of chemical weapons in Syria, as do resolutions 2209 (2015) and 2235 (2015). Since UNSCr 2118 was issued, chemical weapons were used over 150 times. The OPCW, who is mandated to prevent and prosecute the use of chemical weapons, is so clearly failing this mandate that it is an embarrassment to the international community. There is both a lack in timely investigation and prosecution. How can we expect any international laws to be taken seriously when blatant violations go unpunished in Syria. "- Said Dr. Anas Al Kassem, Chairman of UOSSM- Canada
