President Emmanuel Macron of France has accused Bashir Al-Assad of “chemical attacks” against Syrian civilians, in a phone call with President Trump that took place on Sunday.
The Syrian chemical attack took place in Douma, where more than 48 civilians lost their lives. In response to the attack, the White House and France pledged to coordinate efforts to stop future attacks.
A statement was released by Macron’s administration noted that the French President, “strongly condemned the chemical attacks on April 7 against the population of Douma.” Their statement further detailed how Trump And Macron would prioritize a response at the next UN Security Council meeting taking place in New York on Monday.
Macron and Trump agreed on thie call that Bashar Al-Assad’s regime “must be held accountable for its continued human rights abuses.”
“Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!”
The White Helmets claimed that “poisonous chlorine gas” was used in the attack that took place on Saturday. Furthermore, the Syrian American Medical Society in a joint statement with the White Helmets stated that around 500 reported cases have been brought to the medical centers in Syria with “with symptoms indicative of exposure to a chemical agent.”
According to Business Insider, the President of the geopolitical-risk firm Eurasia Group, Ian Bremmer, had said on Sunday that President Trump might order a strike on Syria, as had been done in April 2017, if the use of chemical weapons is confirmed. Bremmer had also predicted that the US might partner up with France to conduct this forecasted strike.
Bremmer’s prediction just might turn out true, as French President Macron “recently put out his own red lines against Assad, saying that he would strike any base that lethal chemical attacks were launched from. He said he’d do it by himself.”
“On chemical weapons, I set a red line and I reaffirm that red line,” French President Emmanuel Macron had stated back in February. “If we have proven evidence that chemical weapons proscribed in treaties are used, we will strike the place where they are made.”