18 Apr 2018 | 03:52 PM UTC
Syria: UN security team fired upon in Douma April 17
UN security team fired upon in Douma April 17, expected to delay arrival of chemical weapons investigators to the area; no casualties reported
Event
On Tuesday, April 17, a UN security team reportedly came under gunfire in Douma - a former rebel-held city in the Eastern Ghouta suburb of Damascus recently captured by Syrian government forces - while performing a reconnaissance operation in advance of the deployment of chemical weapons investigators to the area. The UN personnel were unharmed and retreated to Damascus. The incident is expected to further delay the arrival of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons inspectors to Douma.
Context
Jaysh Al-Islam rebel fighters surrendered Douma following a suspected Syrian government-launched chemical weapons attack on April 7; at least 70 people were killed and hundreds of others wounded in the attack. Syria and Russia have denied that chemical weapons were used.
The United States, United Kingdom, and France launched joint strikes targeting the Syrian regime in the early hours of April 14, in response to the alleged chemical attack.
Advice
Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise against all travel to Syria, with some banning travel to the country. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to any travel to Syria.
