Syria: Chemical weapons were used in deadly attack, autopsy finds

Mask: A victim suffering following the gas attack in Syria.
REUTERS
Francesca Gillett7 April 2017

Chemical weapons were used in a deadly attack in northern Syria which killed dozens of civilians, Turkey has confirmed.

On Thursday the Turkish justice minister said autopsy results on the victims of the attack in Syria's Idlib province found chemical weapons had been used.

It is now thought more than 80 people were killed in the tragedy, with victims experiencing horrific symptoms similar to nerve gas.

Thirty-two victims of Tuesday's attack have been brought to Turkey and three have subsequently died.

Diplomats clashed over who was responsible for the tragedy, with members of the United Nations Security Council disagreeing over whether to hold the country’s president Bashar al-Assad to account for the attack.

Donald Trump and other world leaders said the government was behind the attack but Syrian ally Russia said it was caused by an airstrike which hit chemical weapons owned by rebels.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley holds photographs of victims during a meeting at the United Nations Security Council on Syria.
REUTERS

Israel's defence minister says he is "100 per cent certain" that President Assad's forces carried out the chemical attacks. Avigdor Lieberman told the Yediot Ahronot newspaper on Thursday the attacks were conducted under Assad's "direct and intentional order" and carried out with Syrian planes.

The US ambassador Nikki Haley said Trump’s government could respond to the attack if the UN fail to take action.

France said they still want a resolution from the security council and said they preferred peace talks over military action.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson with the Swiss Federal Councillor and German Foreign Minister at the UN conference.
AFP/Getty Images

According to the Daily Mail, Downing Street sources said Britain has made no plans for military action in response to Syria’s attack.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Johnson said no one could reasonably object to the UN resolution.

"We in the UK, together with our French friends, have called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. We have tabled a resolution which I hope absolutely everybody feels able to sign up to.

"Because all we are saying is that there should be condemnation of that chemical weapons attack, and secondly, that there should be a thorough and urgent international investigation, and I don't think anybody could possibly, reasonably, oppose such a resolution."

The head of Israel's Holocaust memorial is urging world leaders to bring an end to the atrocities and give humanitarian aid to the victims.

Tuesday’s attack was on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib. According to witnesses, victims were choking and foaming at the mouth.

Assessments by the US suggested they found traces of chlorine gas and nerve agent sarin were in the chemical used. Sarin is considered 20 times more toxic than the poison cyanide.

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