The death toll from yesterday's suspected chemical attack in Syria has topped 70. The attack took place in opposition-held areas in the northwestern province of Idlib. Many residents began showing symptoms of chemical weapons use, such as breathing difficulties, vomiting and spasms, following airstrikes. <br/><br/>A nongovernmental organization that has been offering medical care in Syria says 72 people, including children, have died and several hundred others are being treated in hospitals. The group says it is highly likely that a nerve gas such as sarin was used in the attack, judging from the victims' symptoms such as contraction of the pupils. <br/><br/>Syria's anti-government forces and Western nations are blaming the government of President Bashar al-Assad for the attack. The Assad government has denied the use of chemical weapons. Russia, which backs the regime, claims the chemical weapons belonged to anti-government forces. <br/><br/><br/>Russia's Defense Ministry said that arms and ammunition depots targeted by Syrian government airstrikes had workplaces for making chemical weapons. The UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons have pointed out that the Assad government has been using chemical weapons even after it agreed 4 years ago to dispose of them.<br/><br/>Britain and France today renewed their call for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to leave office. Foreign Ministers Boris Johnson of Britain and Jean-Marc Ayrault of France spoke during the international conference on Syria, which the European Union convened in Brussels in a bid to shore up stalled peace talks between Assad and his rivals. <br/><br/>Ayrault said the attack was a test for the new U.S. President, Donald Trump, and his stance on Assad.<br/><br/>The future of Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, has always been the main point of contention blocking progress in talks. The war has raged for more than six years, displacing millions and throwing civilians into dire humanitarian conditions.