Category Archives: Chemical weapons

UN investigates alleged use of white phosphorus in Syria

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Kurdish Red Crescent says six people, some civilians, in hospital with mysterious burns

UN chemical weapons inspectors have announced they are gathering information following accusations that burning white phosphorus was used by Turkish forces against children in Syria earlier this week.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said on Friday morning that “it was aware of the situation and is collecting information with regard to possible use of chemical weapons”.

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Assad regime used chlorine as a chemical weapon, says US

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Chlorine use in May marks first confirmed violation of ban since Trump authorized airstrikes in 2018 over Syria’s use of poison gas

The United States has concluded that the government of Bashar al-Assad used chlorine as a chemical weapon in May, marking the first confirmed violation of the ban on chemical weapons since Donald Trump authorized airstrikes in 2018 over Syria’s use of poison gas.

“The Assad regime is responsible for innumerable atrocities some of which rise to the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity,” the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, told a news conference in New York, where he has been attending the UN general assembly.

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Some US troops could remain in Syria, Trump official says

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  • Trump made controversial decision to withdraw US troops
  • John Bolton to discuss pullout with Netanyahu and Erdogan

The US could leave some troops at a key military outpost in southern Syria, a Trump administration official told reporters on Saturday, despite the president’s controversial decision to withdraw all troops from the war-racked country.

Related: Trump slows Syria pullout but claims 'hero' status

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