Reports of massive chemical attack near Damascus as UN observers arrive in Syria
The UN chemical weapons investigation team arrives in Damascus on August 18, 2013. (AFP Photo / Louai Beshara)
Media reports have emerged of recent chemical weapons use in Syria, with 280 people allegedly killed in the latest attack. The news comes on the same day that the UN inspectors arrive in Damascus to investigate allegations of use of toxic arms.
Initially, Al-Arabiya posted the news on Twitter, with no official comments following the report.
The incident reportedly took place in Ghouta, on the green agricultural belt territory surrounding the Syrian capital.
The news emerged on the day UN inspectors arrive in Damascus to examine suspected cases of chemical weapons use in the war-torn country.
Syrian opposition activists accused the forces loyal to President Bashar Assad of bombing areas controlled by the rebels, to the east of Damascus. In those attacks, they indicated, chemical weapons were used, as cited by Al-Arabiya.
Weeks ago, the United Nations pointed out that an agreement had been reached with Assad’s government as to the three locations that UN inspectors would be examining, with the mission led by Swedish scientist, Ake Sellstrom.
The UN received some 13 reports of alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria and the UN inspectors will be investigating the “allegations” of chemical weapons use, rather than determining who was behind the attacks.
In July, Russia submitted to the UN its analysis of samples taken west of Aleppo. Russia’s findings indicated that it was rebels behind the Khan al-Assal incident, in which more than 30 people died.
The US contradicted the Russian findings, stressing they had their own data which proved that the government forces were behind the attack. However, Paulo Pinheiro, chairman of the UN commission’s inquiry into rights violations in Syria, said the evidence provided by the US did not meet required standards.
The incident reportedly took place in Ghouta, on the green agricultural belt territory surrounding the Syrian capital.
The news emerged on the day UN inspectors arrive in Damascus to examine suspected cases of chemical weapons use in the war-torn country.
Syrian opposition activists accused the forces loyal to President Bashar Assad of bombing areas controlled by the rebels, to the east of Damascus. In those attacks, they indicated, chemical weapons were used, as cited by Al-Arabiya.
Weeks ago, the United Nations pointed out that an agreement had been reached with Assad’s government as to the three locations that UN inspectors would be examining, with the mission led by Swedish scientist, Ake Sellstrom.
The UN received some 13 reports of alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria and the UN inspectors will be investigating the “allegations” of chemical weapons use, rather than determining who was behind the attacks.
In July, Russia submitted to the UN its analysis of samples taken west of Aleppo. Russia’s findings indicated that it was rebels behind the Khan al-Assal incident, in which more than 30 people died.
The US contradicted the Russian findings, stressing they had their own data which proved that the government forces were behind the attack. However, Paulo Pinheiro, chairman of the UN commission’s inquiry into rights violations in Syria, said the evidence provided by the US did not meet required standards.
No comments:
Post a Comment