The United States remembered and honored the victims and survivors of the Ghouta, Syria, chemical weapons attack on the ninth anniversary of its occurrence.
State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the U.S. condemns the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime or anywhere by anyone under any circumstances, according to an Aug. 21 news release.
“Today, we recall with continuing horror this tragic event, and we recommit ourselves to accountability for the perpetrators,” Price said, according to the release.
The U.S. called on Syria to declare and destroy its chemical weapons program following its international obligations. The regime needs to allow the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ Declaration Assessment Team access to the country to confirm all concerns about its chemical weapons program are resolved, he said, the release reported.
The U.S. supports international and Syrian-led efforts to seek justice for atrocities committed against the people of Syria, Price said, according to the release. Some of the atrocities rose to the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity, he said.
“We also reaffirm our support for an inclusive political resolution to the Syrian conflict in line with UN Security Council resolution 2254,” Price said in the release.
