In a shocking revelation, three Syrian medical professionals have exposed how they were coerced into providing false testimony about a deadly 2018 chlorine attack in Douma, Syria. The doctors and a nurse, who had treated victims at a field hospital in the rebel-held town near Damascus, were forced by Bashar al-Assad’s government to deny the chemical attack in front of international investigators. This coercion sheds light on the disturbing extent to which the Syrian regime has gone to manipulate the narrative surrounding the attack.
In this blog post, we’ll dive deeper into the testimony of these brave medical professionals, explore the 2018 Douma chemical attack, and the international response that followed. We’ll also discuss the implications of these new revelations and what they mean for Syria’s ongoing civil war and global accountability.
The 2018 Douma Chlorine Attack
On April 7, 2018, a devastating chlorine gas attack took place in Douma, a town on the outskirts of Damascus. The attack, which killed at least 43 people, targeted civilians in a residential building near a field hospital where injured victims were being treated. The chlorine gas caused severe respiratory issues, suffocation, and panic as medics scrambled to provide life-saving care amidst the chaos.
Video footage from the scene, showing doctors and nurses treating victims, including children, quickly went viral. In one clip, a man was seen spraying water over the injured victims, heightening suspicions of a chemical attack. However, the Syrian government, led by President Bashar al-Assad, and its ally Russia vehemently denied that any chemical weapons had been used, instead labelling the footage as fabricated.
The Coercion: How Syrian Medics Were Pressured to Lie
Three medical professionals—Mohammed al-Hanash, an orthopaedic surgeon, Hassan Oyoun, an emergency specialist, and Muwafaq Nisrin, a nurse—who were on the front lines treating victims, have now come forward with their testimonies of how the Syrian government pressured them to provide false statements.
Threats to Family and Life
Dr. Mohammed al-Hanash revealed in an interview that he was told by security forces that they knew the whereabouts of his family in Damascus, a clear attempt to manipulate him into compliance. He was summoned to the national security headquarters in Damascus where he was pressured into giving false testimony that denied the chemical attack.
Nurse Muwafaq Nisrin echoed these sentiments, explaining that his family lived in Douma, putting them directly at risk of retaliation. This familial pressure was common among medical staff, many of whom had loved ones still living in the conflict zones.
The Gun on the Table
Dr. Hassan Oyoun shared his terrifying experience during questioning by Syrian authorities. He stated that when he entered the room for interrogation, a gun was placed on the table, making it clear what was expected of him. “I immediately understood that the objective was for us to deny the chemical attack,” Oyoun said, revealing the extreme lengths to which the Syrian regime went to suppress the truth.
Denial of the Chemical Attack
All three medics recounted how they were forced to deny the occurrence of the chemical attack, despite having treated numerous victims displaying symptoms consistent with a chlorine exposure. They were pressured to give vague responses to investigators and were instructed to blame the symptoms on dust, dirt, or the smoke from the ongoing battles in the region.
In some cases, the medical staff was ordered to give false statements on camera, which were then broadcasted on Syrian state television to further fuel the government’s narrative that no chemical attack had taken place. These manipulated videos were used to contradict the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which had already begun its own investigation into the attack.
The OPCW’s Findings and the International Response
In January 2019, the OPCW released its findings, concluding that the Syrian government was responsible for the 2018 chlorine attack in Douma. The OPCW’s investigation provided compelling evidence, including testimonies from eyewitnesses and chemical samples that confirmed the presence of chlorine gas. The watchdog organisation found that Syrian Air Force helicopters had dropped the toxic gas on Douma, aligning with the initial reports from the United Nations and human rights organisations.
In response, Russia and the Syrian government dismissed the OPCW findings, claiming the attack was staged by rescue workers and that the footage was part of a Western-backed plot. They argued that the footage and testimonies from medical personnel had been fabricated to justify foreign airstrikes in Syria, including those carried out by the United States, France, and the United Kingdom.
Turning the Tide: Medics Speak Out
After years of fear and intimidation, these three medical professionals have bravely shared their stories with AFP and the wider world. The doctors expressed a profound sense of relief now that they can speak the truth about the attack, despite the risks involved. Dr. Hanash shared that the pressure from the authorities had been stifling, and he and his colleagues had long waited for the “security grip” to lift so they could speak out.
Despite the challenges, the trio found solace in the fact that their truthful testimonies had not undermined the OPCW’s investigation. “We were happy… that our testimony did not impact the course of the investigation,” Hanash said.
However, the joy is incomplete for these medical professionals. They still long for justice to be served and for those responsible for the attack to be held accountable. Until that happens, their sense of relief remains bittersweet.
What This Means for Syria and the World
These revelations about coerced testimony highlight the severity of the Syrian government’s repression and the lengths it is willing to go to maintain control of the narrative surrounding the Syrian civil war. It also underscores the dangers faced by medical professionals working in conflict zones, who are often caught between the duty to save lives and the pressure to conform to government agendas.
The testimony of these brave medics is a vital piece of evidence in holding the Syrian government accountable for its role in chemical warfare and its violations of international law. The OPCW continues to play a critical role in documenting such atrocities and ensuring that these crimes do not go unpunished.
Conclusion: Coerced Testimony and Global Accountability
The testimonies of these Syrian medics shed light on the deep corruption and coercion within the Syrian regime. Despite facing immense personal and professional pressure, they have now spoken out against the false narrative perpetuated by the Assad government. Their courage brings a sense of hope that the truth about the 2018 chlorine attack will not be buried, and that accountability will eventually come to those responsible for the attack.
Relevant Links for Further Reading:
- Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
- Syria Civil War Overview
- Human Rights Violations in Syria
- Douma Chlorine Attack Report by OPCW
Photo credit: LBCI Lebanon
