Remembering the Victims and Survivors of the
2013 Ghouta Sarin Gas Attack
21 August 2024
Wednesday, 21 August 2024, marks the 11th anniversary since the 2013 chemical attack in Ghouta, Syria. The Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad, which was waging a nationwide counterinsurgency campaign, launched rockets carrying sarin gas warheads against targets in the towns of Zamalka, Ein Tarma, and Irbin in the Ghouta region outside of Damascus. The attack, which was launched in the middle of night when many residents were sleeping, killed an estimated 1,127 people and left almost 6,000 more with respiratory problems.
In the days that followed, international condemnation and the possibility of a U.S. military strike against Syria’s chemical weapons facilities led to an unprecedented U.S.-Russia proposal that called on the Syrian Arab Republic to formally accede to the Chemical Weapons Convention, make a comprehensive declaration of its chemical weapons holdings, and allow for the verified removal and eventual destruction of its chemical weapons facilities and stockpile of more than 1,000 metric tonnes of chemical agent. (See the Arms Control Association’s “Timeline of Syrian Chemical Weapons Activity, 2012-2022” for more details.)
The operation, overseen by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations, began in late 2013 and took more than two years to carry out.
Despite the success of that operation, Syria has failed to account for all of its chemical weapons stockpile and it has used chemical weapons several times over the past decade, though on a more sporadic and more limited scale.
In the years since the attack, Syrian and international activists have worked tirelessly to achieve justice for the victims, but the situation remains unresolved.
Fadel Abdelghany, Head of the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), in response to a query from the CWC Coalition staff, outlines what he sees as some of the key issues still facing survivors of the Ghouta chemical attack, as well as recommendations for achieving justice for them.
— Mina Rozei, CWC Coalition Coordinator
Fadel Abdulghany, Head of the Syrian Network for Human Rights on the Legacy of the Ghouta Attack on the People of Syria
The Syrian regime’s chemical weapons attack on Eastern Ghouta had a profound and lasting impact not only on the people of Ghouta, but on Syrian society as a whole, however, the people of Ghouta were the most affected.
Mental health impact: Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression persist among some survivors and witnesses, particularly children, with some survivors suffering from nightmares related to the attacks.
Due to the invisible nature of chemical weapons, the horrific attack caused a collective trauma that affected all Syrians, even those who were not directly affected.
Intergenerational trauma that is passed on to children who witnessed the attack and grew up, as well as children born after the attack, and this secondary trauma is passed on to them through families, community conversations and the media, which creates cases of anxiety and depression among them.
Physical health impact: According to the SNHR’s database, 1,144 people,including 99 children and 194 women were killed, and 5,935 others were injured in the August 2013 Sarin gas attack in Ghouta.
Some of those injured to date are [still] experiencing respiratory problems, including difficulty breathing. And neurological problems, including memory or cognitive impairment.
We have received reports of some birth defects and developmental problems in children born to parents who were attacked.
It has been very difficult to record fertility problems, but we have indications that they have occurred.
Social and community impact: The massive number of victims and the subsequent displacement of tens of thousands have disrupted social structures and traditional community ties.
Loss of confidence in international bodies that failed to prevent the attack and hold the Syrian regime accountable, particularly after the Syrian regime launched 184 attacks after the Ghouta attack and continues to enjoy complete impunity.
A state of collective mourning prevails on the anniversary of each year due to the massive number of victims left behind by the attack.
Economic impact: The displacement of the population following the attack has had very negative economic repercussions, as displacement leads to the loss of homes and shops, and the fragmentation of social relations. The vast majority of the displaced have not returned to Ghouta to this day for fear of revenge by the Syrian regime.
The health problems of many survivors have also increased the negative impact of their economic situation.
Political Implications: The Syrian regime has increased the pace of killing and violence and has arbitrarily killed tens of thousands of detainees in detention centers, because the regime was confident of its impunity after committing this horrific attack in front of the eyes of the entire world.
The Syrian regime no longer cares for any political solution, which has contributed to prolonging the armed conflict in Syria to this day.
As we look forward to the future the survivors of the 2013 attack are seeking:
1. Justice and accountability: Survivors seek justice and accountability for perpetrators of chemical attacks, including the Syrian regime and its Russian and Iranian allies.
2. Reparations and compensation: Survivors and their families need justice and compensation for the harm they suffered, including physical and emotional trauma, loss of property, and displacement.
3. Medical and psychological support: Survivors need medical and psychological support to address the long-term effects of chemical exposure, including physical disabilities, treatment for chronic respiratory problems, regular cancer screenings and specialized oncology care, mental health services, including trauma-informed therapy.
4. Protection and Safety: Survivors need protection and safety from further attacks and persecution, including access to safe housing and livelihoods.
5. Economic Support: Job training and employment assistance for those unable to continue previous work, financial assistance to cover ongoing medical expenses, and support for small businesses in affected communities.”
— Fadel Abdulghany
"The August 2013 Syrian chemical weapons attack on Ghouta, an eastern suburb of Damascus, killed over 1,100 people and wounded another 6,000. The anniversary of this catastrophe is another reminder that Syria and its President Bashar al-Assad, must be held accountable for this, as well as the multiple deadly chemical attacks since then, in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and international law."
A wreath laid at OPCW headquarters in The Hague on the annual Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare, 2019.
The OPCW captioned the photo with this information about the Day of Remembrance: “During the ceremony–at which representatives of the victims’ associations participate as guests of honour–the OPCW Member States renew their resolve to achieve a world truly free of chemical weapons.”
Source: OPCW Flickr