“The use of chemical weapons in Douma – and anywhere else – is unacceptable and constitutes a violation of international law,” OPCW Director General Fernando Arias said in a statement. “The world now knows the facts, it is up to the international community to act, within the OPCW or beyond” the organization, added Arias. “At least one Mi-8/17 helicopter of the Syrian Arab Air Force, taking off from the Dumayr Air Base and operating under the control of the Tiger Forces (elite military forces of the Syrian army, originally led by Souheil al-Hassan, nicknamed “The Tiger” and renamed in 2019 the 25th division of the Special Mission Forces, n.r.), launched two yellow cylinders, which hit two residential buildings in a central area of the city,”  according to the report. A cylinder hit a roof, “ruptured, and quickly released a toxic gas, chlorine, in very high concentrations, which quickly dispersed throughout the building, killing 43 identified people and injuring several dozen others,” the report continues. The second cylinder hit an apartment, partially opened and “began to slowly release chlorine, slightly affecting those who arrived first on the scene”, the report also says. Investigators analyzed samples taken from the scene, interviewed survivors and witnesses and conducted ballistics tests, called “cylinder drop tests.” They also examined video recordings and photographs, satellite images, computer schematics, and requested experts. Douma was controlled by rebels at the time of the incident, which occurred during a major offensive by Syrian government forces to recapture the city, located near the capital Damascus. The rescue units declared at that time that they treated people with breathing problems, foaming at the mouth, and other symptoms. Damascus and its ally Moscow have repeatedly denied that an attack was carried out in Douma and advanced several alternative theories. They accused the rebels and rescue teams of staging the attack and bringing bodies to the scene. They also claimed that an Islamist chemical weapons plant had been hit. But the OPCW investigators stated that there is no evidence to support these accusations. The team “meticulously examined the lines of inquiry and the scenarios suggested by the Syrian authorities and other member states (of the OPCW), but could not obtain concrete information in support” of them, the organization emphasized. The OPCW “regrets” that Syria has refused to allow it access to the site to investigate, despite multiple requests and Damascus’ obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. The report also rejects allegations by former investigators that the OPCW altered the initial findings of a 2018 investigation to make evidence of a chemical attack more conclusive. Syria denies using chemical weapons and says it handed over its stockpiles under a 2013 deal triggered by an alleged sarin gas attack that killed 1,400 people near Damascus.

By Cora Sulleyman