WORLD
The world's chemical weapons watchdog said the banned nerve agent sarin was used in an attack in northern Syria in April that killed dozens of people, a report from a fact-finding team seen by Reuters on Thursday showed.
The world's chemical weapons watchdog said the banned nerve agent sarin was used in an attack in northern Syria in April that killed dozens of people, a report from a fact-finding team seen by Reuters on Thursday showed.
The report was circulated to members of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, but was not made public.
The attack on April 4 in the town of Khan Sheikhoun in northern Idlib province was the most deadly in Syria's civil war in more than three years. It prompted a U.S. missile strike against a Syrian air base which Washington said was used to launch the strike.
After interviewing witnesses and examining samples, a fact- finding mission (FFM) of the OPCW concluded that "a large number of people, some of whom died, were exposed to sarin or a sarin-like substance.
"It is the conclusion of the FFM that such a release can only be determined as the use of sarin, as a chemical weapon," a summary of the report said.
"Now that we know the undeniable truth, we look forward to an independent investigation to confirm exactly who was responsible for these brutal attacks so we can find justice for the victims," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said in a statement on Thursday.
A joint United Nations and OPCW investigation, known as the JIM, can now look at the incident to determine who is to blame, she said.
The JIM has found Syrian government forces were responsible for three chlorine gas attacks in 2014 and 2015 and that Islamic State militants used mustard gas.
Western intelligence agencies had also blamed the government of Bashar al-Assad for the April chemical attack. Syrian officials have repeatedly denied using banned toxins in the conflict.
The mission was unable to visit the site itself due to security concerns and will not attempt to get there, the head of the OPCW was said to have decided.
Syria joined the chemicals weapons convention in 2013 under a Russian-U.S. agreement, averting military intervention under then U.S. President Barack Obama.
The United States said on Wednesday the Syrian government appeared to have heeded a warning this week from Washington not to carry out a chemical weapons attack.
Russia, the Syrian government's main backer in the civil war, warned it would respond proportionately if the United States took pre-emptive measures against Syrian forces after Washington said on Monday it appeared the Syrian military was preparing to conduct a chemical weapons attack.
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
Shahid Afridi's BIG appeal to BCCI amid Champions Trophy crisis, says. 'If countries once...'
Donald Trump picks anti-vaccine activist Robert F Kennedy Jr as US Health Secretary
Manipur violence: AFSPA reimposed in 6 police station areas including troubled Jiribam
Delhi Air Pollution: Delhi-NCR engulfed in thick smog, AQI in 'severe' category
Is Elon Musk buying McDonald's after Donald Trump's win? Here's what we know so far
Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson live streaming: When and where to watch much-anticipated fight
US takes immigration issue 'incredibly seriously': State Dept amid visa delays
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024: Are banks closed or open today? Check state-wise list here
Beaver moon 2024 today: All you need to know about 2024's last supermoon
Anil Ambani's Reliance Infra posts Rs 4082 crore profit in 3 months, market cap climbs to Rs...
Meet Prerna Singh, daughter of autorickshaw driver, who cracked NEET-UG, her score was...
Meet woman, who cracked UPSC exam while doing full time job, secured AIR 3, now she is...
Viral video: Little girl wins heart with adorable dance to Janhvi Kapoor’s 'chuttamalle' song, watch
IND vs SA, 4th T20I Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs South Africa match
IND vs SA, 4th T20I: Predicted playing XIs, live streaming details, weather and pitch report
Delhi: All primary schools closed, classes shifted to online mode due to rising pollution levels
BIG trouble for Anil Ambani, criminal charges against his Rs 14422 crore company over...
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 producer calls Singham Again team 'unfair' after the box office win
From Play to Pay, Gaming Is Big Business And A Genuine Professional Prospect
Leasehold vs Freehold: Exploring Options for Expats and Investors in Dubai
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, Disney complete Rs 70352 crore media merger, to be headed by...
Badshah lands in legal trouble, case registered against rapper for...
GRAP III imposed in Delhi: What is allowed, what is banned amid 'severe' air quality
'Throwing me in deep end': Ricky Ponting takes fresh dig at Gautam Gambhir over Virat Kohli remarks
Revolutionizing Inventory Management in the Cloud Era: Pradeep Kumar’s Strategic Innovations
Delhi: AAP's Mahesh Khichi elected mayor as party defeats BJP in MCD polls
Delhi Air Pollution: GRAP 3 to be imposed in national capital from Nov 15, strict ban on...
WATCH: Inside Rinku Singh's Rs 3.5 crore luxurious house with rooftop bar, private pool
Renowned Yoga Guru Sharath Jois passes away at 53 after suffering heart attack
NASA alert! Giant 'God Of Chaos' asteroid set for close approach to Earth, may trigger astroquakes
UPPSC protest BIG update: RO-ARO exam postponed, PCS prelims to be held in one day
This man earned more money than Mukesh Ambani and world's richest man Elon Musk in one day, he is...
'World's best....': Japan vlogger's reaction to Bengaluru airport goes viral
Sania Mirza named Sports Ambassador of THIS city, not Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur
Shloka Mehta turns heads in sleek white gown at Tira store launch, see pics
Amid Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai divorce rumours, Jaya Bachchan surprises everyone with...
IND vs SA: Arshdeep Singh goes past Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become Indian pacer with most....
Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani’s luxury retail chain opens new store at...
PM Modi to receive Dominica’s highest national award for...
Shraddha Kapoor says people with big foreheads are…
'Busy making...': Kanhaiya Kumar sparks row with remarks on Devendra Fadnavis' wife; BJP hits back
'Full baarati vibes': Vietnamese man's epic 'nagin dance' steals show at Mumbai event
Tilak Varma credits THIS player for his century against South Africa, says 'He gave me...'
UPSC IFS Mains Admit Card 2024 to be released today at upsc.gov.in, check direct link to download
'Be prepared for...': Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter Esha Verma REACTS to Rs 50 crore defamation case
Saudi, Iran: Cautious dance toward détente?
Anushka Sharma shares glimpse of Children’s Day special dish for daughter Vamika, son Akaay
Jaw-dropping! Man wraps massive green anaconda around his shoulders, internet says...
Donald Trump plans to end Russia-Ukraine war with THIS move, is expected to 'soon' appoint...
As pollution worsens in Delhi with AQI at 'severe' level, experts at COP29 urge India to...