European intelligence agencies have gathered evidence that regime officials have mixed sarin and chlorine, which dilutes the gas while ensuring it remains a potent killer – especially if delivered in confined spaces. US government sources, quoted by Reuters, said that an initial assessment had found that chemical weapons were used in the attack. One such shelling killed at least six civilians on Friday, Syrian officials said. A ground attack on Douma has so far failed, frustrating Syrian officials who have blockaded the rebel bastion for six years. Negotiations between regime officials and Jeysh al-Islam, which controls Douma, are reported to have restarted.

Source: The Guardian April 08, 2018 13:35 UTC