Russia Blocks Extension of Inquiry into Chemical Weapon Attacks

Russia has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution to extend an investigation into the use of chemical weapons in Syria, the BBC reported. The United States-backed resolution would have extended the inquiry by a year.

This is the 10th time Moscow has used its power of veto in the security council to block resolutions targeting President Bashar al-Assad.

The investigation by the U.N. and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons – known as the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) – was set up by Russia and the U.S. in 2015 to identify the source of chemical weapons attacks in Syria. Its mandate was extended last year and is due to expire this month.

Russia has been critical of the probe since investigators accused Assad of launching a chemical weapons attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib in April.

Following the veto the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley, accused the Kremlin of blocking attempts to stop future chemical attacks.

“Russia has killed the investigative mechanism, which has overwhelming support of this council,” she said. “By eliminating our ability to identify the attackers, Russia has undermined our ability to deter future attacks.”

According to the BBC, the security council will due to vote on another draft resolution. Japan has proposed extending the inquiry’s mandate for one month instead of one year.

Clashes in Eastern Ghouta Kill More Than 20 Civilians

At least 22 civilians have been killed by government shelling and airstrikes on the besieged suburbs of Damascus over the past three days, the Associated Press reported on Thursday.

Citing the United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the AP said another 100 civilians were wounded by the attacks on the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta suburbs.

Meanwhile, rocket and mortar attacks launched by rebels killed six people and wounded 45 more in Damascus on Thursday, Agency France-Presse reported, citing Syria’s state-run news agency.

The government is stepping up its attacks on Eastern Ghouta at a time when rebel forces are trying to seize control of a military compound outside Harasta.

Members of the Ahrar al-Sham group stormed the complex on Wednesday, leading to clashes over control of the facility. The AP said fighting continued on Thursday. At least 37 pro-government fighters, including nine officers, have been killed. An unspecified number of rebels were also killed or wounded, the agency said, citing the SOHR.

Earlier on Wednesday, airstrikes hit an aid warehouse in the Eastern Ghouta town of Douma. The World Food Program said the attack spoiled food stocks and condemned the “destruction of humanitarian food supplies.”

Germany to Spend Millions on Clearing Mines

Germany is expected to announce a contribution of 10 million euros ($11.8 million) to help clear mines from the city of Raqqa, formerly the de facto capital of the so-called Islamic State, Reuters reported.

Citing the Handelsblatt newspaper, Reuters said the funds will go to Tetra Tech, a U.S. government contractor working on removing mines from the city, which was captured by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces last month.

Handelsblatt said that more German aid can be given in the future if the situation in Syria stabilizes.

Recommended Reads

• World Politics Review: What Will a Post-ISIS Political Order in Syria Actually Look Like?
• Agence France-Presse: Renovations Return Bustle to Part of Aleppo’s Old City
• Al Jazeera: Astana Talks Fail to Curb Attacks Against Civilians in Syria
• The Los Angeles Times: U.S. Looking to Agreements With Russia Over Syria
• CNN: U.S. and Russia Partnership on Syria Is Limited and This Just Proved It