Use of chemical weapons in the Syrian civil war

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Some of the victims of the Ghouta attack 21 August 2013

Use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Civil War has been confirmed by the United Nations. The deadliest attacks were the Ghouta attack in the suburbs of Damascus in August 2013 and the Khan al-Asal attack in the suburbs of Aleppo in March 2013. Several other attacks have been alleged, reported and investigated.

A U.N. fact-finding mission and a UNHRC Commission of Inquiry have simultaneously investigated the attacks. The U.N. mission found likely use of the nerve agent Sarin in the case of Khan Al-Asal (19 March 2013), Saraqib (29 April 2013), Ghouta (21 August 2013), Jobar (24 August 2013) and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya (25 August 2013). The UNHRC commission later confirmed the use of Sarin in the Khan al-Asal, Saraqib and Ghouta attacks, but did not mention the Jobar and the Ashrafiyat Sahnaya attacks.That Sarin was used in Khan al-Asal was also the conclusion of the Russian investigation of the attack.

The UNHRC commission also found that the Sarin used in the Khan al-Asal attack bore "the same unique hallmarks" as the Sarin used in the Ghouta attack and indicated that the perpetrators likely had access to chemicals from the Syrian Army's stockpile.

Background

See also: Syria and weapons of mass destruction, Syria chemical weapons program, Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against the Government of Syria to Respond to Use of Chemical Weapons, and Destruction of Syria's chemical weapons

The use of chemical weapons must be seen in the context of the Syrian Civil War. On 20 August 2012, President Barack Obama used the phrase "red line"[1] in reference to the use of chemical weapons. On 6 September 2013 a bill was filed to authorize the use of military force against the Syrian military, mainly in response to the use of sarin in the Ghouta attack on 21 August 2013.[2] On 9 September 2013, the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry stated that the air strikes could be averted if Syria turned over "every single bit" of its chemical weapons stockpiles.[3] Hours after Kerry's statement, the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Russia had suggested to Syria that it relinquish its chemical weapons.[4] The Syrian foreign minister Walid al-Moallem immediately welcomed the proposal.[4][5]

Prior to September 2013 the Syrian government had not publicly admitted to possess chemical weapons, although Western intelligence services believed it to hold one of the world's largest stockpiles.[6]

Incidents

The map marks the position of reported chemical weapons attacks in the Syrian Civil War.

The table below list the reported attacks and the main points. See the main articles for details.[N 1]

Other related incidents

In December 2012, the chemical plant SYSACCO 29 kilometers (18 mi) east of Aleppo was taken by rebel fighters from the Al-Nusra Front. The factory produces chlorine among other chemicals.[7] On 5 November 2014, the Syrian UN-ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari, said "terrorist organizations stole about 200 tons of [chlorine gas] from" the factory.[8]

On 30 May 2013, Turkish newspapers reported that Turkish security forces had arrested Al-Nusra Front fighters in the southern provinces of Mersin and Adana near the Syrian border and confiscated 2 kg of sarin gas.[9] The Turkish Ambassador to Moscow later said that tests showed the chemical seized was not sarin, but anti-freeze (anti-freeze is either Methanol or Isopropyl alcohol).[10] In September six of those arrested in May were charged with attempting to acquire chemicals which could be used to produce sarin; the indictment said that it was "possible to produce sarin gas by combining the materials in proper conditions."[11]

According to Syria, on 1 June 2013, the Syrian Army seized two cylinders holding the nerve agent sarin from Syrian opposition fighters in Hama.[12] A Syrian military source told SANA, the official news agency in Syria, that the Syrian Army seized two containers with sarin together with automatic rifles, pistols and homemade bombs (IEDs) in a rebel hideout in the al-Faraieh neighborhood (also spelled Al-Faraya)[13] of the city of Hama,[14][15][16] which has been the scene of fighting between government troops and armed opposition groups.[17] The Syrian government declared the two cylinders "as abandoned chemical weapons" and told the OPCW that "the items did not belong to" them.[18] On 14 June 2014, the Joint OPCW-UN Mission confirmed that the cylinders contained sarin.[18] On 7 July 2014, the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon informed the U.N. Security Council about the findings.[18]

Date Location Governorate Impact points Civilian victims Soldier/militias victims CW-agent Main article Notes
Time of day Coordinates Controlled by Deaths Non-fatal Deaths Non-fatal Unit
17 October 2012 Salqin Idlib The U.N. mission investigated the attack, but did not find sufficient or credible information to support the allegation.[19]
23 December 2012 Al-Bayadah Homs Free Syrian Army 5 App. 100 Most likely Agent 15 Ref. Haaretz[20] and Foreign Policy.[21] The U.N. mission investigated the attack, but did not find sufficient or credible information to support the allegation.[19]
13 March 2013 Darayya Rif Dimashq The U.N. mission investigated the attack, but did not find sufficient or credible information to support the allegation.[19]
14 March 2013 Otaybah Rif Dimashq Ref. Le Monde.[22]
19 March 2013 Khan al-Asal Aleppo Early morning 36°10′02″N 37°02′21″E / 36.167222°N 37.039167°E / 36.167222; 37.039167 Syrian Army 19 107 1 17 Syrian Army Sarin Khan al-Assal chemical attack Ref. U.N.[19]
19 March 2013 Otaybah Rif Dimashq The U.N. mission investigated the attack, but did not find sufficient or credible information to support the allegation.[19]
24 March 2013 Adra Rif Dimashq The U.N. mission investigated the attack, but did not find sufficient or credible information to support the allegation.[19]
11 April 2013 Jobar Damascus Jobar chemical attacks Ref. Le Monde.[22]
12 April 2013 Jobar Damascus Jobar chemical attacks Ref. Le Monde.[22] The U.N. mission investigated the attack, but did not find sufficient or credible information to support the allegation.[19]
13 April 2013 Sheikh Maqsood Aleppo Kurdish forces 3 more than a dozen The U.N. mission investigated the attack, but did not find sufficient or credible information to support the allegation.[19]
13 April 2013 Jobar Damascus Jobar chemical attacks The U.N. mission investigated the attack, but did not find sufficient or credible information to support the allegation.[19]
14 April 2013 Jobar Damascus Jobar chemical attacks The U.N. mission investigated the attack, but did not find sufficient or credible information to support the allegation.[19]
25 April 2013 Darayya Rif Dimashq The U.N. mission investigated the attack, but did not find sufficient or credible information to support the allegation.[19]
29 April 2013 Saraqib Idlib A:35°52′02″N 36°47′59″E / 35.8672041°N 36.7995858°E / 35.8672041; 36.7995858
B:35°51′41″N 36°47′49″E / 35.8613742°N 36.7970538°E / 35.8613742; 36.7970538
C:35°51′15″N 36°47′51″E / 35.8542831°N 36.7974508°E / 35.8542831; 36.7974508 		Free Syrian Army 1 10 2 Free Syrian Army Sarin/Tear gas Allegedly some of the hand grenade–type munitions contained tear gas, whereas other grenades were filled with Sarin. Ref. U.N.[19]
14 May 2013 Qasr Abu Samrah Hama The U.N. mission investigated the attack, but did not find sufficient or credible information to support the allegation.[19]
23 May 2013 Adra Rif Dimashq The U.N. mission investigated the attack, but did not find sufficient or credible information to support the allegation.[19]
5 August 2013 Adra Rif Dimashq Ref. Human Rights Watch.[23]
21 August 2013 Zamalka/Ein Tarma Rif Dimashq Between 02:00 and 03:00 Ein Tarma:

A:33°31′14″N 36°21′23″E / 33.5205744°N 36.3563669°E / 33.5205744; 36.3563669
B:33°31′15″N 36°21′26″E / 33.5207063°N 36.3573325°E / 33.5207063; 36.3573325

Zamalka:
C:33°31′17″N 36°20′53″E / 33.5213347°N 36.3481593°E / 33.5213347; 36.3481593
D:33°31′18″N 36°21′08″E / 33.5217908°N 36.3522577°E / 33.5217908; 36.3522577
E:33°31′21″N 36°21′34″E / 33.5224617°N 36.3594246°E / 33.5224617; 36.3594246
F:33°31′25″N 36°21′16″E / 33.5234724°N 36.3544142°E / 33.5234724; 36.3544142
G:33°31′26″N 36°21′45″E / 33.5238391°N 36.3625681°E / 33.5238391; 36.3625681
H:33°31′29″N 36°21′40″E / 33.5246083°N 36.3612056°E / 33.5246083; 36.3612056
I:33°31′30″N 36°21′30″E / 33.5250734°N 36.3584054°E / 33.5250734; 36.3584054
J:33°31′33″N 36°21′34″E / 33.5257263°N 36.3593173°E / 33.5257263; 36.3593173
K:33°31′33″N 36°21′45″E / 33.5257352°N 36.3625896°E / 33.5257352; 36.3625896
L:33°31′39″N 36°21′39″E / 33.5274345°N 36.360873°E / 33.5274345; 36.360873

 734 Sarin Ghouta chemical attack Ref. U.N.[19][24][25][23]
21 August 2013 Muadamiyat al-Sham Rif Dimashq App. 05:00 Four 140mm rockets impacted next to the Rawda Mosque (33°27′37″N 36°11′50″E / 33.4602966°N 36.1972287°E / 33.4602966; 36.1972287). Three 140mm rockets impacted app. 500 meters to the east of the Rawda Mosque (33°27′36″N 36°12′09″E / 33.4601064°N 36.2025046°E / 33.4601064; 36.2025046). 103 Sarin Ghouta chemical attack Ref. U.N.[19][24][25][23]
22 August 2013 Al-Bahariyah Rif Dimashq App. 17:00 33°31′43″N 36°31′32″E / 33.528653°N 36.525669°E / 33.528653; 36.525669 Syrian Army 16 Syrian Army The U.N. mission investigated the attack, but did not find reliable information to support the allegation that a CW-agent were used.[19]
24 August 2013 Jobar Damascus App. 11:00 33°32′03″N 36°20′42″E / 33.5342371°N 36.3450721°E / 33.5342371; 36.3450721 Syrian Army 24 Syrian Army Sarin Ref. U.N.[19]
25 August 2013 Ashrafiyat Sahnaya Rif Dimashq App. 20:00 33°26′47″N 36°15′05″E / 33.4463166°N 36.2513208°E / 33.4463166; 36.2513208 Syrian Army 5 Syrian Army Sarin Ref. U.N.[19]
29 October 2013 Ras al-Ayn Al-Hasakah Kurdish forces Ref. Al-Mayadeen.[26][27]
11 April 2014 Kafr Zita Hama Chlorine Ref.[28][29][30]
11 April 2014 Harasta Rif Dimashq Ref.[31][32][33]
12 April 2014 Kafr Zita Hama 2 200 Chlorine 2014 Kafr Zita chemical attack Ref. UNHRC.[28]
12 April 2014 Al-Tamanah Idlib Chlorine Ref. UNHRC.[28]
16 April 2014 Harasta Rif Dimashq Ref. The Times of Israel.[34]
16 April 2014 Kafr Zita Hama Chlorine Ref. UNHRC.[28]
18 April 2014 Al-Tamanah Idlib Chlorine Ref. UNHRC.[28]
18 April 2014 Kafr Zita Hama Chlorine Ref. UNHRC.[28]
21 April 2014 Talmenes Idlib Chlorine Ref. UNHRC.[28]
22 April 2014 Talmenes Idlib Ref. The Telegraph.[35]
22 April 2014 Darayya Rif Dimashq Ref. The Daily Star.[36]
29 April 2014 Al-Tamanah Idlib Chlorine Ref. UNHRC.[28]
19 May 2014 Kafr Zita Hama 1 130 Ref. Al Arabiya.[37][38]
21 May 2014 Al-Tamanah Idlib Ref. International Business Times.[39]
22 May 2014 Kafr Zita Hama dozens Chlorine Ref. CNN.[30]
12 July 2014 Avdiko Aleppo Kurdish forces 3 Kurdish forces Most likely Mustard gas Ref. The Huffington Post[40] and the MERIA Journal.[41]
21 August 2014 Jobar Damascus 6 Ref. ARA News.[42]
28 August 2014 Kafr Zita Hama Ref. Channel News Asia.[43]

Investigations

The UN mission to investigate alleged use of chemical weapons

Main article: United Nations Mission to Investigate Alleged Uses of Chemical Weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic

The United Nations Mission to Investigate Allegations of the Use of Chemical Weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic was a fact-finding mission to investigate possible use of chemical weapons in Syria. On 16 September 2013 the mission published a report with focus on the Ghouta attacks.[25] On 12 December 2013, the UN mission delivered its final report.[19]

The UNHRC commission of inquiry

Main article: Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic was set up by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 22 March 2011 to investigate human rights violations during the Syrian civil war. In its report dated 12 February 2014 they confirmed the use of Sarin in the case of Khan Al-Assal (19 March 2013), Saraqib (29 April 2013) and Al-Ghouta (21 August 2013). The UNHRC commission also found that the Sarin used in the Khan al-Asal attack bore "the same unique hallmarks" as the Sarin used in the Ghouta attack and indicated that the perpetrators likely had access to chemicals from the Syrian Army's stockpile.[24]

In its report dated 13 August 2014 they accused Government forces of using chlorine gas in 8 incidents in Idlib and Hama governorates in April 2014.[28]

The Russian Khan al-Asal investigation

Main article: Khan al-Assal chemical attack § The Russian investigation

A Russian team investigated the Khan al-Asal incident on 19 March 2013.[19] The Russian UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin delivered a report with analysis of the samples taken at the site to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on 9 July 2013.[19][44] They declared that the sarin had been produced in "cottage industry" conditions without the use of chemical stabilisers and that the Sarin contained diisopropyl fluorophosphate.[44]

Though the Russian report was not published certain Russian findings were restated by Vitaly Churkin. The rebels, the Russians maintained, launched an unguided "Basha'ir-3" projectile towards Khan al-Assal. The results of the analysis clearly indicated, according to the Russians, that the ordnance used in Khan al-Assal was not industrially manufactured and that the sarin was not industrially manufactured either. According to the Russians the production of "Basha'ir-3" unguided projectiles was started in February 2013 by the Basha'ir al-Nasr Brigade affiliated with the Free Syrian Army. In the final United Nations report the picture was one of contradicting information. The United Nations Mission was not able to collect any “untouched” artifacts relevant to the incident and necessary for an independent verification of the information gathered. No biomedical samples were handed over to the United Nations Mission by the Syrian Government. The UN report did not concur with the Russian results.[45] In 2014 the U.N. concluded that the 8/21 Sarin bore the ‘same unique hallmarks’ as the Sarin used in the 3/19 Khan al-Assal attack.[24] Describing the attack on the Ghouta district near Damascus, the report said: "The perpetrators likely had access to the chemical weapons stockpile of the Syrian military, as well as the expertise and equipment necessary to manipulate safely large amount of chemical agents." [46]

The OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria

Main article: The OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria

On 29 April 2014, the Director General Ahmet Üzümcü of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) announced the creation of an OPCW mission to establish the facts surrounding allegations of the use of chlorine gas for hostile purposes in Syria.[47] The Syrian Government has agreed to the mission.[48]

On 27 May 2014, members of the mission were ambushed and briefly held by gunmen in rebel-held territory as it headed toward Kafr Zita to investigate the alleged chlorine gas attacks.[49] The opposition Hama Media Centre said the attack on the convoy was carried out by President Bashar Assad's forces.[50]

Other allegations

In February 2012, a defected lieutenant who worked in the chemical weapons department claimed that "BZ-CS, Chlorine Benzilate, which damages people’s nerves and makes them fade away, is being used in Bab Amr." He said that some Syrian soldiers had been supplied with gas masks for protection.[51]

Notes

  1. ^ All times given are given in Eastern European Time (EET), or UTC+02:00 unless otherwise stated.

References

  1. ^ Wordsworth, Dot (8 June 2013). "What, exactly, is a 'red line'?". The Spectator magazine. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  2. ^ Cox, Ramsey (September 6, 2013). "Reid files resolution to authorize force against Syria". Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  3. ^ Steve Gutterman; Alexei Anishchuk; Timothy Heritage (10 September 2013). "Putin, Obama discussed Syria arms control idea last week: Kremlin". Reuters. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  4. ^ a b Julian Borger and Patrick Wintour (2013-09-09). "Russia calls on Syria to hand over chemical weapons". Guardian (UK). Retrieved 18 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "Syrian official: Chemical weapons deal a 'victory'". USA Today. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  6. ^ Congressional Research Service, 12 September 2013, Syria's Chemical Weapons: Issues for Congress
  7. ^ "Rebels could resort to chemical weapons, Syria warns". France 24. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  8. ^ "Al-Jaafari: Syria is committed to close cooperation with OPCW". SANA. 6 November 2014.
  9. ^ "Report: Police foil al-Nusra bomb attack planned for Adana". 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  10. ^ "No Chemical Arms Seized from Syrian Militants, Turkish Envoy Says". Global Security Newswire. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  11. ^ Aydınlık, 12 September 2013, Al-Nusra Linked to Chemical Production in Turkey
  12. ^ "Syrian army seizes sarin cylinders from militants in Hama". Press TV. 2 June 2013.
  13. ^ "Al-Faraya, Hamah, Syria". Google Maps.
  14. ^ "Syrian Military seizes Sarin Gas from "rebels"". Nsnbc international. 2 June 2013.
  15. ^ "Syria claims sarin seizure at rebel hideout as Russia blocks UN's Qusair resolution". RT. 2 June 2013.
  16. ^ "Syrian army captures sarin containers with rebels in Hama". Xinhuanet. 2 June 2013.
  17. ^ "Syrian army captures party of sarin from rebels in Hama". Voice of Russia. 2 June 2013.
  18. ^ a b c "Two 'abandoned' cylinders seized in Syria contained sarin: UN". The Straits Times. Reuters. 8 July 2014.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "United Nations Mission on Investigate Allegations of the Use of Chemical Weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic" (PDF). United Nations. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  20. ^ Harel, Amos (2012-12-24). "Syrian rebels claim Assad regime uses chemical weapons 24 December 2012". Haaretz.com. Retrieved 2013-08-21.
  21. ^ Rogin, Josh (15 January 2013). "Secret State Department cable: Chemical weapons used in Syria". Foreign Policy The Cable. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  22. ^ a b c "Chemical warfare in Syria". Le Monde. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  23. ^ a b c "Attacks on Ghouta" (PDF). Human Rights Watch. 10 September 2013.
  24. ^ a b c d "Human rights situations that require the Council's attention - Session 25". United Nations Human Rights Council. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  25. ^ a b c "Report on the Alleged Use of Chemical Weapons in the Ghouta Area of Damascus on 21 August 2013" (PDF). United Nations. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  26. ^ "Rebels conduct new chemical weapons attack in Syria near Turkish border - report". RT. 29 October 2013.
  27. ^ "Russia alarmed by fresh reports Syrian militants using chemical weapons – FM". Voice of Russia. 30 October 2013.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Human rights situations that require the Council's attention - Session 27". United Nations Human Rights Council. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  29. ^ "Claims of new poison gas attack in Syria". BBC. 12 April 2014.
  30. ^ a b "Gas attack alleged in Syria". CNN. 23 May 2014.
  31. ^ Official: U.S. looking into reports of poison gas use, dailystar.com.lb.
  32. ^ Kafr Zeita Poison Gas Claims, nbcnews.com.
  33. ^ UN called on to investigate poisonous gas usage in Syria, worldbulletin.net.
  34. ^ In footage, rebels claim new Assad chemical attack, timesofisrael.com
  35. ^ Boy dies as Syrian regime carries out 'gas attack' on rebels, telegraph.co.uk.
  36. ^ Renewed chemical weapons claims mount against Syrian regime, dailystar.com.lb.
  37. ^ Syrian activists report fresh poison gas attack, english.alarabiya.net.
  38. ^ Hollande issues warning on chemical strikes, dailystar.com.lb.
  39. ^ Syria War: Three More Chemical Attacks Reported As Russia, China Veto International Criminal Court Action, ibtimes.com.
  40. ^ "U.S. Mishandling Of Iraq's Chemical Weapons Worse Than Previously Thought". The Huffington Post. 6 November 2014.
  41. ^ "MERIA SPECIAL REPORT: DID ISIS USE CHEMICAL WEAPONS AGAINST THE KURDS IN KOBANI?". The GLORIA Center of the IDC Herzliya university. 12 October 2014.
  42. ^ Syrian regime launchs chemical attack against Jobar in Damascus: opposition, aranews.net.
  43. ^ Syrian villagers recount terror of seeping yellow gas attacks, channelnewsasia.com.
  44. ^ a b "Russian inquiry to UN: Rebels, not Army, behind Syria Aleppo sarin attack". RT. 9 July 2013.
  45. ^ Brown Moses BlogSpot, December 2013
  46. ^ The Guardian 5 March 2014
  47. ^ "SUMMARY REPORT OF THE WORK OF THE OPCW FACT-FINDING MISSION IN SYRIA". OPCW. 16 June 2014.
  48. ^ "Report of the Secretary General on Security Council Resolution 2139". New York Times. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  49. ^ "OPCW-UN fact-finding mission was ambushed". AP. 28 May 2014.
  50. ^ "Chemical weapons team in Syria attacked but safe: OPCW". REUTERS. 27 May 2014.
  51. ^ Chemical weapons used against Syrians, says defected soldier. Hurriyet Daily News, 21 February 2012. Retrieved on 22 September 2014.
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