BRUSSELS

France has issued a new international arrest warrant for deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, holding him accountable for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the country’s long civil war, French media reported on Thursday.

According to reports, the warrant, signed on July 29, targets Assad for his alleged role in chemical attacks carried out in 2013.

The attacks took place on Aug. 5, 2013 in Adra and Douma, injuring around 450 people, and on Aug. 21 in Eastern Ghouta, where sarin gas reportedly killed more than 1,000 individuals, according to US intelligence.

This is the third arrest warrant French authorities have issued for Assad.

French courts previously issued warrants related to the 2012 bombing of a press center in Homs which killed American journalist Marie Colvin and French photographer Remi Ochlik, and the 2017 bombing of a civilian residential area in Deraa.

Assad, Syria's leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia last December, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963. The administration of transitional President Ahmad Sharaa was formed in January.