UN inspectors said that chemical weapons have been used in the Syrian conflict, definitely in a widely publicised Aug 21 attack near Damascus and probably in four other locations between March and late August.
The report by UN chemical weapons experts, led by Swedish professor Ake Sellstrom, examined seven alleged chemical weapons attacks and said on Thursday that it lacked information to corroborate the allegations at two locations. The inspectors’ limited mandate barred them from identifying whether the Government or opposition fighters were responsible for any of the attacks.
Sellstrom issued an initial report on Sept 16 which concluded that evidence collected in the Ghouta area of Damascus following an Aug 21 attack provided “clear and convincing evidence that surface-to-surface rockets containing the nerve agent sarin were used.” Graphic video footage showed dozens of people gasping for air and bodies lined up.The confirmed use of chemical weapons in Ghouta, and the threat of possible US military action, led to a US-Russian agreement to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons by mid-2014.