Dozens dead in possible gas attack in Syria; regime denies allegationBy Steve Almasy, CNN April 8, 2018
(CNN)Several Syrian activist groups Saturday reported that a brutal attack on the remnants of the rebel-held city of Douma in Eastern Ghouta left dozens of civilians dead and scores wounded.
The groups -- including the White Helmets, the Douma Coordination Committee and the Ghouta Media Center -- said toxic gas inside barrel bombs dropped by helicopters over Douma caused people to suffocate and choke.
Syrian state news agency SANA cited an "official source" who denied the allegations, saying the reports were a "blatant attempt to hinder the army's advance" into what the news agency described as a "collapsing terrorist" stronghold.
An official with the Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM) told CNN that doctors in eastern Ghouta have told him they were seeing patients who were convulsing from side to side and some appeared to be paralyzed and unresponsive.
Many of the people had been staying in underground shelters.
CNN could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the images.
The UOSSM, citing doctors and activists on the ground, released a statement saying a massive suspected chemical or gas attack was reported and at least 25 people were killed and 500 wounded.
CNN's Frederik Pleitgen in Damascus said there were heavy air strikes in the area all day and rebels shelled the Syrian capital.
Meanwhile, a US State Department official told CNN, "We have seen multiple, very disturbing reports this afternoon regarding another possible CW (chemical weapons) attack near a hospital in Douma, Syria."
"As we've said, Russia ultimately bears responsibility for the brutal targeting of countless Syrians with chemical weapons. Russia's protection of the Assad regime and failure to stop the use of chemical weapons in Syria calls into question its commitment to resolving the overall crisis."
A later statement from State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the US continued to "closely follow disturbing reports" of the alleged attack.
"Reports from a number of contacts and medical personnel on the ground indicate a potentially high number of casualties, including among families hiding in shelters. These reports, if confirmed, are horrifying and demand an immediate response by the international community," Nauert said.
CNN's Fred Pleitgen, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Eyad Kourdi, Gul Tuysuz, Daniel Nikbakht, Jen Deaton, Barbara Starr, Elise Labott and Susannah Cullinane contributed to this report.
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/07/middleeast/syria-suspected-chemical-attack/index.html 
Yikes, I hope the US backs away from any plans of an anti-Assad attack on Syria, else WW!!! is on!
