400 hurt in Syrian 'chemical attack' near Damascus

Syrian rebels in eastern Ghouta, outskirts of Damascus Around 400 people have been hurt in a chemical weapons attack by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces on the Damascus suburb of Douma, opposition activists said .
Doctors in the region said that the patients symptoms showed sarin gas had been used in the assault.
Douma is about 10 km north-east of the centre of Damascus.
In the neighbouring town of Adra, 20 injuries were reported, with mosques telling people to be cautious and wear masks.
Videos published online showed civilians in Douma standing in the streets, wearing masks, as Ambulances transported the victims to hospital.
The Syrian Media Centre said that regime forces had used poisonous gases in Adra and Douma.
"More than 30 people were injured in Adra and admitted to the nearest hospital with breathing problems," the centre said.
The attack comes after a large convoy of tanks belonging to rebel group Liwa al-Islam was spotted in Damascus countryside, with activists claiming that the rebel fighters were planning strikes against government forces from the Mount Qasioun region.
The Free Syrian Army (FSA) has clashed with Assad's men at a factory in al-Marj, eastern Ghouta, close to the main road which leads to the so-called Green Valley. The building was set on fire during the clashes, and opposition activists accused Syrian soldiers of preventing the transfer of wheat and flour to the besieged town.
Human rights organisations said government forces were intentionally targeting the factories after losing control to rebels. They added that that a number of civilians were killed in the attack.
The factories in al-Marj are the only source of food and nutrition for residents of eastern Ghouta. The FSA is in control of most of the region, but has failed to meet the needs of those living in the countryside. Rebels are now battling to take control of the factories, due to their close proximity to the main airport road.
The Syrian army's operation has hampered efforts to provide basic human commodities to eastern Ghouta residents. The death toll has reached more than 100, with over 1000 injuries, activists said.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Damascus, fierce fighting has continued between rebel forces and the Syrian army. Troops shelled Maadameyat al-Sham, and bombed residential buildings in Daria, eastern Ghouta, and Hujairata al-Balad, southern Damascus.? The air force also attacked the areas of Maleiha and Zebdine.
In the northwestern governorate of Aleppo, sources said that a BMP tank loaded with six tonnes of explosives was detonated at Ming military airport. Activists said the operation was carried out by rebel groups Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar, and the North Storm brigade.
Locals said dozens of Syrian soldiers were killed in the attack, and rebels managed to kidnap a number of other military officials.
Aleppo News Network reported that the army shelled the airport and sent in its own tanks after the blast.
Rebel forces have been trying to take control of the military airport for over a year, but have yet failed to do so.