The United Nations disputed the Russian explanation, saying it had no security issues and wanted the inspectors to reach the site quickly. The Western allies said the airstrikes were aimed at degrading the chemical arms capabilities of Mr. Assad, who promised to purge Syria’s arsenal of chemical weapons after a mass attack in 2013. Mr. Uzumcu also said the Russians and Syrians had offered the inspectors an opportunity to interview 22 witnesses to the Douma attack. The British delegation to the organization wrote on Twitter: “Russia & Syria have not yet allowed access to Douma. Russia & Syria must cooperate.” Other Western diplomats also said that Syria and Russia were impeding the team.

Source: New York Times April 16, 2018 14:00 UTC