From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 8, 2018
State Department: Syrian chemical attacks ‘must stop now’
BEIRUT — The United States says Syrian President Bashar Assad’s use of chemical weapons and bombings against civilians “must stop now.”
The State Department says it’s “extremely concerned” about growing violence in Idlib, as well as in the eastern Ghouta area near Damascus. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert says there have been reports of new attacks in the last 48 hours killing “dozens” of civilians.
Nauert says the US is supporting a United Nations call for a month-long “cessation of violence.” She says the goal is to allow humanitarian aid and medical care to flow to more than 700 civilians in eastern Ghouta.
The US says Russia must use its influence over Assad’s forces to ensure Syria immediately allows UN aid to reach vulnerable civilians.
— AP
The Times of Israel Community.