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U.N. inspectors confirm Syria chemical attack

 
Published Dec. 13, 2013

UNITED NATIONS — U.N. inspectors said Thursday that chemical weapons have been used in the Syrian conflict, definitely in a widely publicized Aug. 21 attack near Damascus and probably in four other locations.

The report by U.N. chemical weapons experts examined seven alleged chemical weapons attacks and said it lacked information to corroborate the allegations at two locations. The inspectors' limited mandate barred them from identifying whether the government or opposition fighters were responsible for the attacks.

An initial report issued Sept. 16 found "clear and convincing evidence that surface-to-surface rockets containing the nerve agent sarin were used" in the Aug. 21 attack in the Ghouta area of Damascus.

Thursday's report said evidence indicated chemical weapons were probably used in Khan al Assal outside Aleppo, Jobar in Damascus' eastern suburbs, Saraqueb near Idlib in the northwest, and Ashrafiah Sahnaya in the Damascus countryside.

The confirmed use of chemical weapons in Ghouta led to an agreement to rid Syria of chemical weapons by mid 2014. The process is under way.