Assad Regime 'Using Toxic Gas In Syria'

Istanbul, 9 Jumadal Awwal 1437/17 February 2016 (MINA) – The Syrian government used toxic gas eight times over a five-month period in different areas of Syria, a group that monitors the conflict said Tuesday.

The London-based Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) said gas had been used between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31 last year, mostly in Idlib, the Damascus suburbs, Hama, Homs, Daraa and Deir Al Zour, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Under UN Security Council Resolution 2118, Syria was banned from acquiring or transferring chemical weapons. The resolution was passed following the August 2013 chemical attack on Ghouta in Damascus that killed more than 1,400 people.

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However, since then 87 people have been killed and 867 injured by exposure to poisonous gas, the network said in a report covering the last five months of 2015.

“The use of chlorine gas is considered a breach of UNSC resolutions… and the agreement that was signed by the Syrian government on Sept. 14, 2013 which prohibited the use of toxic gases and its demolition,” the report said.

The report also demonstrated the use of chemical weapons by Daesh, notably in Maree, Aleppo province, on Aug. 21 last year.

SNHR teams visited areas of suspected chemical weapons attack and collected samples and witness testimony.

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The network called for an international commission to investigate such incidents and identify those responsible.

It also demanded the UN Security Council to “take serious and dissuasive measures”. (T/P010/R07)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)