Dozens of cases of suffocation have been reported following airstrikes by the Syrian regime and its Russian allies against the rebel stronghold of East Guta, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said today, citing medical concerns.
At the same time, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced that the transfer of humanitarian aid that was scheduled to take place today in Eastern Gouta was "postponed". "Today's convoy has been postponed," said Ingi Sedki, a spokeswoman for the ICC. The situation that "is evolving on the field (…) does not allow us to conduct business", he added.
Late last night, at least 60 people had difficulty breathing in Sakba and Hamuriyah after airstrikes, the Observatory said.
According to the non-governmental organization, the raids were carried out by the regime's Air Force and that of Russia, an ally of Damascus who had previously denied carrying out strikes in East Guta.
Doctors at a rebel medical facility say they have treated at least 29 patients with symptoms of chlorine gas exposure, according to the American Medical Association (SAMS), a non-governmental organization that supports medical centers in Syria.
"Due to a chlorine attack in East Guta, patients are experiencing severe respiratory problems," SAMS announced on social media late last night.