Members of the United Nations Security Council vote on April 12 on a draft resolution condemning the Syrian government for use of chemical weapons. Since 2013, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has monitored the Syrian regime's compliance with a pledge to surrender its chemical weapons. In other words, this particular facility is outside the area controlled by Mr Assad. The White House has released a National Security Council document blaming Mr Assad for the Khan Shaykhun attack. It only means that Russia is overeager to protect Mr Assad and avoid a direct confrontation with the US.

Source: Bangkok Post April 18, 2017 21:56 UTC