Activists in Idlib rally to mark anniversary of Ghouta chemical attack

Activists and health workers gathered in the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib on Saturday to remember the victims of the 2013 chemical attack in Ghouta, Damascus, which killed around 1,400 people. 

The commemorations on the eighth anniversary of the attack was attended by Syrian activists and members of the Syrian Civil Defence. 

"This stand in the city of Idlib comes on the occasion of the eighth anniversary of the chemical massacre in Eastern Ghouta, which was committed by the Syrian regime and Russia," Firas Khalifa, member of the  Syrian Civil Defence, told The New Arab's Arabic language service Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

"We aim to convey a message that emphasises the necessity of stopping the regime and holding the criminals who committed this massacre accountable, especially since everyone knows the truth," Khalifa said.

Among those in attendance were witness to the massacre, including health sector worker Muhammad Kahil Al-Ain, who spoke to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. 

"I remember the many painful images that I witnessed in Eastern Ghouta, in the hospitals. And these pictures I will never forget," he said.

"Our message to the international community is to hold the perpetrators accountable, who are led by the criminal Bashar al-Assad," he added. 

Osama Daher, who also witnessed the massacre in Eastern Ghouta, attended the commemorations.

"It was a harsh night for everyone. We came here to confirm our demands that all criminals be held accountable, especially the murderer of children, Bashar al-Assad," he told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. 

Bashar al-Assad's regime used sarin gas to attack the opposition-held area of Eastern Ghouta, a suburb of the capital Damascus, in the early of 21 August, 2013, killing over a thousand men, women, and children.

No one from the Assad regime has been held accountable for the massacre.