US Defense Secretary Warns Syrian Government Against Use of Chemical Weapons

The US Secretary of Defense warned the Syrian government about the use of chemical weapons in Eastern Ghouta, stating that if Damascus has done so, it would be committing a "great folly." Jim Mattis, speaking on Sunday, March 10, in Muscat, Oman, referred to unconfirmed reports of chlorine gas use in Eastern Ghouta, saying, "We have made it very clear that using gas against people and civilians in any battle would be a great folly." He emphasized again that the military use of gas would be a great folly, and he believes President Trump has made this clear during his administration. The US launched a missile attack on a Syrian airbase in April 2017 shortly after reports of a chemical attack in Khan Shaykhun emerged. Activists and militants in Eastern Ghouta have recently reported that incendiary materials have been used in bombings over the past few days, causing fires and burns. Local doctors have also reported the smell of chlorine gas and symptoms of asphyxiation following several bombings. The Syrian government has denied the use of incendiary or chemical weapons and announced on Saturday that it has information indicating that the rebels intended to carry out a fake chemical attack to discredit the government. The Syrian army and rebel groups are heavily engaged in battle in Eastern Ghouta. State television reported on Sunday from the town of Madira in Eastern Ghouta that an army commander stated pro-government forces have entered the area. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights based in London, over 1,100 civilians have been killed in government operations against rebels in Eastern Ghouta over the past three weeks. The report states that intense fighting has been ongoing in several axes along with artillery fire and airstrikes during this time. The advance of government forces in Madira occurred after retaking the neighboring town of Misraba on Saturday, which separated Douma and Harasta. Rebel groups in Eastern Ghouta have stated they will not surrender to government forces. The Free Syrian Army announced on Saturday that they will not surrender and will not negotiate for leaving the area. After the Syrian army's advance in Eastern Ghouta and its division, Jaysh al-Islam has emerged as the most effective group in Douma, Ahrar al-Sham in Harasta, and Faylaq al-Rahman in Eastern Ghouta. Syrian state media reported on the army's advances near Jisreen and Iftaar in the southeastern territory of the rebels. Damascus and Moscow accuse the rebels of shooting at anyone attempting to leave the area, but the rebels have denied this claim. Rebels and some residents of Eastern Ghouta told Reuters that some people have expressed that they do not want to return to the Assad-controlled area and face interrogation and harassment, a claim the government deems baseless. The Syrian army found 60 civilians in a basement in Misraba on Saturday. Activists in Eastern Ghouta say that before the army took control of Misraba, thousands fled to Douma, which was under rebel control. Syrian state television reported that rebels killed four people in an attack on a taxi on Sunday.