Erdogan vows perpetrators of Syria chemical attack will pay ‘heavy price’

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vows those behind the killings of civilians in the Syrian rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta would pay a “heavy price” after an alleged chemical assault killed dozens.

“I curse those who carried out this massacre. Whoever has done this, the perpetrators will be brought to account and certainly pay a heavy price,” Erdogan tells a meeting of his party in parliament.

The Turkish foreign ministry at the weekend said there was a “strong suspicion” that Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime was responsible for the attack.

But Erdogan on Tuesday steers clear of criticizing Assad, only noting his telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin who is the chief ally of the Damascus regime along with Iran. “I spoke with Putin yesterday (Monday), talks will continue today and tomorrow,” he says.

— AFP