CNN: Dozens Reportedly Killed In Chemical Attack Near Damascus (Warning: Graphic)

CNN reports that several Syrian groups claim chemical weapons were detonated in the rebel-held city of Douma on Saturday night, leaving dozens of civilians dead and scores wounded. U.S.-backed rebels and the Assad regime both blame the other for the attack. An emergency U.N. Security Council meeting will take place on Monday.

The president tweeted about the attack Sunday morning, after calling for U.S. forces to leave Syria last week. Saturday's attack occurred almost a year to the day after the U.S. struck a Syrian airfield in response to a chemical attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun.

If President Obama had crossed his stated Red Line In The Sand, the Syrian disaster would have ended long ago! Animal Assad would have been history!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018

Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price...

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018

....to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018

At least 70 people were reported killed during a government offensive on a rebel-held suburb of the capital, prompting President Trump to call the Syrian leader "Animal Assad."

The Syrian government strongly denied the allegations that they were responsible for the chemical weapons, accusing rebels of stockpiling the weapons. It said American claims were "‘fabrications" and accuse the U.S. and Israel of setting them up. Iran and Russia stand behind Syria's claims. 500 other people displayed symptoms similar to exposure to "toxic gas" in the area, according to the "White Helmets" rescue group and the "Syrian American Medical Society."

President Trump tweeted: "Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria" and that "President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad."

"Big price to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!" the president also said.

Kurdish Journalist: U.S. Occupying Oil-Rich Areas in North Syria to Choke Damascus

Turkish-Kurdish journalist Ali Ornek says the United States is keeping a military presence in SDF/YPG-held areas in northern Syria to starve the government in Damascus of revenue needed to rebuild.