Turkey expresses concern over Syrian regime’s increased attacks on Eastern Ghouta

ANKARA

Turkey has expressed concerns over the Syrian regime’s intensified attacks on the rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta involving the use of chlorine bombs and informed Russia and Iran – the regime’s main allies – about its disturbance.

“The recent increase in the Syrian regime’s attacks towards Eastern Ghouta, which is one of the four de-escalation areas declared by the De-Escalation Memorandum signed within the framework of the Astana meetings and where a humanitarian crisis is taking place however due to the regime’s ongoing blockade, is concerning,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hami Aksoy said in a written statement upon a question over the recent developments in Syria late Feb. 7.

“The number of people who lost their lives due to the regime’s attacks on 6 February alone has exceeded 100,” Aksoy stressed.

Underlining reports that chemical weapons containing chlorine were being used in the regime’s attacks on Eastern Ghouta, Aksoy recalled a statement by the chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria that said an investigation was launched into the claims.

“Our concerns with regard to the regime’s attacks targeting Eastern Ghouta and its people as well as the humanitarian situation in the region, and our request for the immediate cessation of the regime’s violations which run against the spirit of the agreement put forth at the Astana meetings are being constantly voiced in our contacts at all levels with Russia and Iran in their capacity as the regime’s guarantors,” he added.

More than 130 people have been killed since the Syrian regime intensified its bombardment on the besieged Eastern Ghouta, a suburb of the capital Damascus, on Feb. 5, rescuers and monitoring groups have said.