The World Council of Churches has added their voice to those condemning the chemical weapons attack in Syria’s Idlib province this week, saying it was time to end the “culture of impunity” in the country and the surrounding region.
At least 70 people have been killed in the attack, including women and children, which took place in the village of Khan Sheikhoun. The US has blamed the regime of Bashar al-Assad for the attack while regime supporters Russia have said the attack was carried out by rebels. The Assad regime has denied its involvement.
In a statement Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the WCC, has called for a change of culture in the region. “This attack and many other airstrikes have been targeting civilian populations, including vulnerable children and women. The World Council of Churches believes that these attacks, as well as so many other war crimes, crimes against humanity and unbearable atrocities, are sadly still taking place against an innocent civil population because the culture of impunity is maintained in Syria and the whole region.”
Rev Dr Tveit has urged the UN Security Council to investigate crimes being committed in the conflict in Syria – now in its 7th year – and establishing mechanisms for bringing suspects to trial.
“The WCC expresses its deep sympathy with the families of the victims, and prays that God may grant them comfort and heal their wounds,” Rev Dr Tveit said. “We also pray the God of justice and peace to accompany the Syrian people in these critical and painful moments.”
In the US, President Donald Trump is reportedly “weighing his options” for a military strike in the wake of the attack. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has promised a “serious response” to the attack and has made it clear the administration sees no role for President Assad in continuing to govern Syria.
In Australia, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the attack “cries out for a strong response”, describing the attack as a “war crime of the worst sort”.
