Syria Crisis: UN Investigators Confirmed Sarin Nerve Gas Attack, Syria Blamed for 'War Crime'
Source: Youtube/AljazeeraEnglish
UN experts who went to Damascus to verify claims of chemical weapons use by President Bashar al-Assad have confirmed "unequivocally and objectively" that the Syrian government is to blame for the chemical attack.
In August, a United Nations confirmed the use of sarin nerve gas in a rocket attack in Damascus that killed a thousand people and injured hundreds of Syrians. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, "This is a war crime."
The U.S. had accused the Syrian government of using chemical weapons against innocent civilians. This resulted in threats to push for a military strike against Syria's Assad regime which led to a U.S.-Russia deal for Syria to surrender all chemical weapons.
The U.S. and other world powers will try to come to an agreement using a UN Security Council resolution.
UN investigators are also investigating 14 cases of suspected chemical attacks in Syria which claimed many lives since Sept 2011.
Meanwhile, Turkey brought down a helicopter from Syria that was flying close to its border. The helicopter was engaged by Turkish fighter jets after violating Turkey's air space. Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said the aircraft crashed in Syria. The fate of the crew is yet to be known.
France, UK and the U.S. will seek a stronger UN resolution that will mean serious consequences to Syria if the Assad regime fails to turn over chemical weapons.
However, Russia has warned that issuing threats to Syria may destroy the peace talks currently taking place. Under a deal initiated by Russia and the United States, Syria has agreed to hand over control of its chemical weapons stockpiles within one week. Syria was also asked to totally eliminate it by the middle of 2014.
Ban: This is a war crime
Mr Ban briefed the UN Security Council on the latest report before addressing media. He said he was submitting the UN report to the Council "with a heavy heart."
Survivors of the chemical attacks in Syria reported experiencing various symptoms such as shortness of breath, eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and disorientation. Most of them lost consciousness as the first emergency responders saw people lying down. The victims were either dead or unconscious.
UN investigators in Syria gathered blood, urine, hair and rocket samples for testing. Mr Ban said the investigators found that 85 per cent of blood samples contained the chemical sarin.
