Chlorine gas used systematically and repeatedly in Syria

THE HAGUE 

Compelling evidence has been found that chlorine gas was used “systematically and repeatedly” in villages in northern Syria earlier this year, according to research conducted by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

 Ahmet Uzumcu, Head of the Organization told the Anadolu Agency that the second report of the fact-finding mission has been completed and the report revealed chlorine was used in attacks on the villages of Talmanes, Al Tamanah and Kafr Zeta, all located in northern Syria.

In a statement Wednesday, the mission revealed, “the description, physical properties, gas behavior, and signs and symptoms resulting from exposure, as well as the response of patients to the treatment, lead the fact-finding mission to conclude with a high degree of confidence that chlorine, either pure or in a mixture, is the toxic chemical in question.”

“Following the establishment of the fact-finding mission in late April 2014, there was a marked reduction in reported chlorine attacks in the months of May, June and July,” the organization said, but the Director-General asked the mission to continue its work in the wake of a spate of new allegations in August.

Uzumcu said that chlorine is not a chemical weapon on its own. He said, however, “according to our agreement, every chemical used to harm people, animals, plants, is accepted as a weapon” and added, “When the usage of chemicals is proven, it is accepted as a violation of the agreement.”

Uzumcu said that they have no information if chemical weapons have passed to the hands of Islamic State militants, but stressed that it is of concern to everyone should the organization have access to such material. 

In response to questioning on Syria's hidden chemical weapon arsenal, he commented that the first prediction was that Syria had around 1,000 tons of chemical weapons. 

He further explained that if any state had any suspicions on the stockpiling of chemical weapons, their concerns can be brought to the United Nations or his organization's agenda to act in taking steps to control their build up. 

Uzumcu told Anadolu Agency that nearly 97 percent of Syria’s declared 1,300 tons of chemical weapons have been destroyed. The full process of destruction will be completed in the upcoming days, he said, adding that 12 chemical weapons production facilities are due to be destroyed.

www.aa.com.tr/en