Syria is said to have used poison gas in attacks on City Duma in Ostghuta. This is what rescue workers and aid agencies report. The Syrian government is denies accusations. Duma is last rebel-held city in region, Islamist rebel group Army al-Islam bombards from re repeatedly capital city. After ten days of ceasefire, Syria and Russia have again been flying heavy air raids on city since Saturday.

The Syrian aid organisation White Helmets reports that a residential area has been attacked with chlorine gas. After that, several residents would have suffered from breathlessness. Doctors from Syrian American Medical Society have also treated several injured with symptoms of chlorine-poisoning. The Syrian Human Rights Observatory reports at least eleven people with shortness of breath or choking seizures. These include five children.

The Syrian government calls accusations of poison gas use a farce. Syria had "no need to use any chemical substance," said a government representative of state news agency SANA.

A rescue worker spoke on Saturday of first attacks with fighter planes and helicopters for several days. The Syrian Human Rights Observatory reports on parallel attacks by Syrian army on ground. According to state media, soldiers have advanced on fortifications on fringes of Duma. In addition, fighter planes bombed headquarters and command center of rebel group.

Syria army invades last rebel area in Ostghuta before Syrian soldiers, according to state media, have penetrated into last rebel-held area in Ostghuta. According to Syrian Human Rights Monitoring Centre, 32 people were killed in air raids on city Duma. © Photo: Muhammad al-Najjar/DPA (archive image)

Since Friday, according to Observatory, re have been at least 48 deaths. The government is trying to "tighten loop around Duma from west, east and south." The information provided by opposition centre cannot be independently verified.

Date Of Update: 08 April 2018, 12:02