Syrian medical professionals reveal coercion to provide false testimony about the 2018 Douma chemical attack, shedding light on the Assad regime’s efforts to manipulate the narrative.
At a Glance
- Two Syrian doctors and a nurse claim they were coerced into giving false testimony about the 2018 Douma chemical attack
- The attack occurred on April 7, 2018, in Douma, a rebel-held town near Damascus
- Medical personnel were summoned to national security headquarters and threatened to provide false testimony
- The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) blamed the Syrian government for the attack, which killed 43 people
- The U.S., Britain, and France launched air strikes on Syria following the attack
Coercion and Intimidation
Two Syrian doctors and a nurse have come forward with shocking allegations of coercion by Bashar al-Assad’s government. These medical professionals claim they were forced to provide false testimony regarding the 2018 chemical attack in Douma, a rebel-held town near Damascus. The attack, which occurred on April 7, 2018, targeted a building near a field hospital where the wounded were treated.
Orthopaedic surgeon Mohammed al-Hanash and emergency specialist Hassan Oyoun described the intimidation tactics used by investigators. Al-Hanash revealed the threats made against his family’s safety, while Oyoun faced direct intimidation with a firearm.
“I was told that they knew where my family is in Damascus,” Mohammed al-Hanash said.
Muwafaq Nisrin, an emergency responder, also faced pressure due to his family’s location in Douma. The medical personnel were summoned to national security headquarters and threatened to provide false testimony, which was later broadcast on state television and edited to support the government’s narrative.
Following the attack, a video circulated showing chaos at the medical facility and medics treating victims, including children. The Assad government quickly labeled this footage as “fake.” Damascus and Moscow claimed the attack was staged by rescue workers at the behest of the United States, further complicating the narrative surrounding the incident.
Seven years have passed since the chemical weapons massacre perpetrated by the Syrian regime in the city of #Douma on April 7, 2018.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), through the report of the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) released on… pic.twitter.com/bMFlCG2P4W
— The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) April 7, 2024
However, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) conducted an investigation and ultimately blamed the Syrian government for the attack. The OPCW reported that the attack was launched by an elite Syrian unit during a military offensive to reclaim Douma. Investigators found evidence suggesting a Syrian air force helicopter dropped toxic gas, resulting in the deaths of 43 people.
International Response
The alleged chemical attack in Douma drew swift international condemnation and military action. The United States, Britain, and France launched air strikes on Syria in response to the attack, highlighting the grave nature of the incident and its potential to escalate regional tensions.
We continue to closely follow disturbing reports regarding alleged chemical weapons attack targeting a hospital in Douma, #Syria. The Assad regime and its backers must be held accountable and any further attacks prevented immediately. https://t.co/8TfYjIYQ9S pic.twitter.com/i3pmVKYVTp
— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) April 8, 2018
The revelations from these Syrian medical professionals raise serious questions about the Assad regime’s tactics in controlling information and manipulating narratives surrounding alleged war crimes. As the international community continues to grapple with the ongoing Syrian conflict, these testimonies serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those on the ground and the importance of thorough, independent investigations into such incidents.
