Syria. Bashar started again. Everything indicates “the use of chlorine by the regime” (Le Drian)

(B2 with AFP) For French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, everything indicates that the Syrian authorities are carrying out chlorine attacks “right now” in Syria. "All the indications (...) show us today that there is the use of chlorine by the regime at the moment in Syria", he indicated on Wednesday (February 7) on the chain BFM TV and on RMC radio. "I speak with caution because until it's fully documented, you have to be careful," he added.

A reaction to the study

Asked how Paris intended to react, he recalled that around thirty countries had just adopted, on the initiative of France, measures to denounce and punish those responsible for chemical attacks in Syria. On the other hand, he made no allusion to other reprisals, including military, from France against the Syrian regime if these chlorine attacks are confirmed. "It's a very serious situation (...) we condemn it (use of chlorine, editor's note) very firmly", said the head of French diplomacy, referring to the initiative taken by the thirty countries to circumvent the Russian veto to any condemnation of the Syrian regime for the use of chemical weapons at the UN Security Council.

A red line from Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron drew a "red line" on this issue when he came to power in May 2017, promising "reprisals and an immediate response" from France in the event of the use of chemical weapons.

The OPCW to the rescue

(Updated) The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said on Wednesday it is investigating all recent “credible allegations” of chemical weapons use in Syria, amid reports that poisonous weapons are believed to be deployed by the regime. “Recent allegations regarding the use of chemical weapons in Syria continue to be a source of grave concern” and the OPCW is “investigating all credible allegations,” a statement said. communicated the international organization based in The Hague.