Syria : ‘Gas attack’ kills child in Eastern Ghouta

Health officials in the rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta are accusing Syrian government forces of using chlorine gas in their aerial bombardment campaign in the Damascus suburb.

Syria’s Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, said on Sunday that at least one child died as a result of suffocation on their official Twitter account.

According to the Syrian opposition’s interim government, symptoms of cases were “consistent with exposure to toxic chlorine gas”.

The opposition’s health ministry said in a statement several people were admitted to the Al-Shifaniyah’s medical facilities.

Symptoms include “dyspnea, intensive irritation of the mucus membrane, irritation of the eyes and dizziness”.

At least 18 people were treated with oxygen nebulizing sessions, the statement added.

Many women and children were experiencing difficulty breathing, according to the White Helmets.

The reports of the gas attack come as President Bashar al-Assad’s forces fight against opposition groups from multiple fronts, in an attempt to penetrate into the besieged enclave.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA NEWS