The horrific use of chemical weapons against civilians in Syria marks another descent into war crimes by the Syrian dictator, Bashar al-Assad, and by extension, his primary backer, the Russian Federation. Reports from Syria indicate that scores of civilians in the northwestern province of Idlib were killed earlier today by a Syrian government attack. Varying reports from the scene say from 50 to at least 100 people including women and children were killed, and some 300 injured. Russian-made Sukhoi 22 jets were observed in the attack, which dropped sarin and chlorine gas. It's not clear whether the pilots of the planes were Russian or Syrian.
Incredibly, the White (Supremacist) House cynically managed to blame the attack on the Obama Administration, deflecting responsibility for its own recent positive gestures toward Assad and it's suspiciously friendly attitude toward his Russian patron. Putin loyalist and unstable narcissist Donald "Rump" Trump has sent mixed signals, seeming to accept Assad's grip on power, while continuing to saber-rattle against it's main ally in the Muslim world, Iran, leaving allies confused.
As always, the women and children are caught, trapped and killed in a vicious war where Assad's side is committing war crimes, and will stop at nothing to hold power. And neither Rump nor his Secretary of State will lift a finger against the power behind Assad, Russia's Vladimir Putin. Of course Rump's spineless mouthpiece, Sean "Spicy" Spicer, won't discuss Russia's role either. Shameful.
(photo: Syrian children treated after a chlorine gas attack in Idlib province, Syria, April 4)
