CHEMICAL WEAPONS

State Department: Symptoms in Syria Attack ‘Consistent’ With Nerve Agent

The State Department also called on Syria and Russia to open up the area to international monitors.

The State Department said Monday that victims of the suspected chemical attack in Douma, Syria, had symptoms that were consistent with the use of a nerve agent. “The Duma victims’ symptoms, reported by credible medical professionals and visible in social media photos and video, are consistent with an asphyxiation agent and of a nerve agent of some type,” the department wrote in a statement given to Reuters. The statement also stated that “Syrian regime forces and their allies are denying international monitors access to the Duma area.” President Donald Trump condemned the attack on Monday, and said that the U.S. would decide on retaliatory measures within 24 to 48 hours.