Gruesome Videos Show Horrors of Alleged Syrian Chemical Attack

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Max Read

08/21/13 09:46AM

Filed to: syria

Videos and photographs of what Syrian rebels say was a horrific chemical-gas attack on a Damascus suburb by the forces of Bashar al-Assad are beginning to emerge. Warning: These are very graphic.

One widely shared video of the aftermath of the attack, in which hundreds may have been killed, shows a man wearing a surgical mask yelling angrily at the camera while holding what appears to be a dead child:

Another, filmed at night purports to show the attack itself:

In this video, apparently in the direct aftermath of the attack, Syrians can been seen holding towels and rags to their faces as bodies are being carried away on stretchers

This YouTube playlist has many more videos claiming to show the attack and its aftermath. Many of the worst show rows and rows of bodies—often of young children—lying in makeshift morgues.

The following replies are approved. To see additional replies that are pending approval, click Show Pending. Warning: These may contain graphic material.

Rod Strickland Propane Max Read 08/21/13 09:50AM

Rest assured, I CC'd the UN on an email I just sent to John Kerry.

Dark man ex Rod Strickland Propane 08/21/13 09:59AM

Honestly, what do you want Obama to do? Hold everyone's hands and sing Kumbaya? The world was already a steaming pile of shit before Obama and will be after. This may sound cruel, but this is Syria's problem not America's. We cannot be responsible for everyone in the world. That is not our responsibility.

Rod Strickland Propane Dark man ex 08/21/13 10:07AM

I realize the delicate line Obama walks and thanks to a certain invasion in 2003 the American public is a bit weary about getting involved in an overseas conflict. However, I think we should give some support as capitalofperu mentions it could be in the form of airstrikes and/or arming the rebels because this is becoming a humanitarian disaster.

The Game Anthropologist Dark man ex 08/21/13 10:13AM

I agree.

If the Obama administration chose military action - even when it was more convenient at a time when Assad was legitimately on the ropes - it would have been seen as an aggressive military action and shit on by most of the world. And don't get me started on how people in this country would have reacted to sending troops into another hotzone after we labored so hard to get the troops out of Iraq.

Does anyone remember the Libyan uprising? The Obama Administration authorized bombing through NATO and built a decent coalition to help him. They helped out the rebels and saved at least 100,000 people who were sure to be butchered by Gaddafi's Loyalists. And when the danger was over, the U.S. pulled back and let others take over. From there, the whole world was behind the U.S. and the politicos here in America were united in celebration for doing the right thing. Oh wait, that last part didn't friggin happen at all. Parts of the world were pissed at us for the intervention and politicians in the U.S. still had their same grievances.

I get why people are upset with the Obama administration. I really freaking do. I voted for him twice and don't regret it. My disappointment in a lot of things is profound. But I'll be damned if I see people on some internet forum claim such clear cut generalities in this - or any - foreign situation. I guess it's easy to throw spitballs in an online forum when you're stuck at a desk all day or just sitting there taking a shit.

The Game Anthropologist Rod Strickland Propane 08/21/13 10:15AM

Then go down to your local congressman's office and scream at them for not doing anything. Honestly I'm tired of this shit.

Adjudicate Max Read 08/21/13 10:02AM

I’m primarily confused as to why the Assad regime would consider such measures at this juncture. With the assistance of Hezbollah, the government has been making steady if painstakingly slow progress against the opposition, culminating in the fall of al-Qusayr. Why risk involvement by the West? They’ve suddenly become concerned about the time table to victory? Assad up for re-election soon or something?

belgium Adjudicate 08/21/13 10:15AM

I've seen reports that Hezbollah wasn't impressed at being used as cannon fodder by the Assad regime because his own forces are so incompetent, so they're less willing to take the lead in attacks. This could mean that Assad (or his generals) are scrambling for ideas.

Or it could just be some commander who really shouldn't have been in control of this stuff who decided fuck this city.

Tiddlywinks87 Adjudicate 08/21/13 10:23AM

doesn't make sense, rebels are on the retreat, world is watching you like a hawk due to previous accusations, ok perfect time to gas them what could go wrong?!

Adjudicate belgium 08/21/13 10:24AM

…but it’s not like this conflict has any regard for civilian casualties without the use of chemical weapons. Why suddenly decide indiscriminate 152mm rounds (IIRC they’ve got D-20s/Type 66s) are too good for the pesky rebels? I understand following up such an attack with NBC clad forces would all but confirm it was the government but … where’s the military rationale behind lobbing a handful of chemical warheads? I don't know if I'd believe a rogue commander either: this is Damascus—not some far flung village in the vastness. Then again, perhaps the uncertainty and plausible deniability is exactly why they proceeded with the attack. Clusterf*ck.

Jane, you ignorant slut. Adjudicate 08/21/13 10:54AM

Assad knows the world isn't going to do shit to him. He has nothing to lose here, but he feels he has a chance of slaughtering his people into submission so he can stay in power.

Arden Max Read 08/21/13 11:44AM

This whole thing is like a global scale version of The Bystander Effect.
"If only someone would do something!" — The Entire World

waxwingclang Arden 08/21/13 01:24PM

If you were a world leader what would you do?

jlpubarch Max Read 08/26/13 05:37PM

People are missing the point here. The 'red line' is not crossed when Syria uses chemical weapons on its own people. Its used when there is credible evidence that they are taking their chemical weapons out of secure storage. If some of those weapons fall into the wrong hands, they could end up in continental Europe in a week. The images may be sickening, but the airstrikes won't be to avenge dead children. They'll be to prevent these things from being mishandled and lost by a government that can't maintain any level of control.