Bombs, Bad Smells, and a Dumped Provider
Yesterday, a nasty stink came swirling through the quiet streets of Saraqeb, a small town in north‑western Idlib. Chief complaint? Five local folks were left choking on an unseen fog after a round of regime aircraft dropped their usual shelling on the neighbourhood.
What’s actually “toxic”?
- Eyewitnesses swore the air smelled like something that could straight‑up sap your lungs.
- Medical workers noted a sudden spike in “suffocation” cases—no lungs, just… fumes.
- Descriptive words? “Toxic gas.” That’s it. No extra detail, just the smoke‑fog trade‑talk.
Double trouble: Mehrat al‑Numan
Not only did Saraqeb get an unwanted visit, the same squadron also met the streets of Maarat al‑Numan. Six civilians lost their lives there, and irony’s thickening with the local hospital taking a beating too. The big red cross shut its doors until the building could be patch‑up‑uped.
What the U.S. is saying
On the same week, the U.S. has accused the regime of using chemical weapons closer to the city of Damascus. The push‑off comes from a mix of NGO intel and rebel chatter—claims that “dirty gases” are flying everywhere.
- U.S. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis spilled that there may be sarin sniffin’ in the mix, but he also insisted the U.S. has concrete proof short of wild rumours.
- For now, it’s a classic “I swear it’s here, but I can’t prove it” drama.
Last month’s escapade: Eastern Ghouta rocket fever
Remember that time when a barrage of rockets slammed onto a rebel‑held bloc outside Damascus? Over 20 folk went straight into the ER labelling their tracheas “under attack.” Splendid thing! A spike in respirator crises, a few med students on the edge of their seat, and a whole community looking for a better tomorrow.
To wrap this up: Despite a heavy hand of aerial bombardment and a smelly docket from the air, the region’s civilians continue to fight for every breath they can take. As the story unfolds, more details will come—hopefully something clearer than a toxic fog. Until then, keep your nose in check and your ears tuned to what’s happening in the deserts of Idlib.
