Syria: UN confirms use of chemical arms
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 13 December 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Syria: UN confirms use of chemical arms, 13 December 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52e659e010.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 13, 2013
UN mission head Ake Sellstrom
United Nations inspectors have determined that chemical weapons may have been used as many as five times in the Syrian conflict.
However, it was not in the mandate of the inspectors to offer a conclusion on whether government or opposition forces were responsible.
The report published December 12 said the nerve agent sarin was used in the August 21 attack in Ghouta.
World outrage over that attack led to the U.S.-Russian agreement to destroy Syrian government chemical weapons stockpiles by mid-2014.
The report said evidence indicates chemical weapons were also probably used in Khan al Assal, Jobar, Saraqueb, and Ashrafiah Sahnaya between March and late August.
The report from chief UN investigator Ake Sellstrom said investigators could not corroborate the alleged use of chemical weapons in two other locations.
Based on reports from AP, AFP and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
