OPCW inspectors’ visit to Syria’s Douma delayed after gunfire at site of alleged gas attack

A visit by international chemical weapons inspectors to the location of an alleged poison-gas attack in Douma, Syria has been delayed after gunfire at the site. It occurred during a visit by a UN security team on Tuesday, Reuters reported, citing sources. The security team entered Douma to assess the situation ahead of the planned visit by inspectors from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) international watchdog. One source said the advance team had “encountered a security issue” including gunfire, which led to the delay. No further details were provided. Another source said they had been met by protesters demanding aid, and gunfire was heard. Syria’s ambassador to the UN said on Tuesday that the fact-finding mission would begin its work in Douma on Wednesday if the UN security team deemed the situation there safe.