Syria: Government Likely Culprit in Chemical Attack

(New York) – Available evidence strongly suggests that Syrian
government forces were responsible for chemical weapons attacks on two
Damascus suburbs on August 21, 2013. These attacks, which killed
hundreds of civilians including many children, appeared to use a
weapons-grade nerve agent, most likely Sarin.

The 22-page report, “Attacks on Ghouta: Analysis of Alleged Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria,” documents
two alleged chemical weapons attacks on the opposition-controlled
suburbs of Eastern and Western Ghouta, located 16 kilometers apart, in
the early hours of August 21. Human Rights Watch analyzed witness
accounts of the rocket attacks, information on the likely source of the
attacks, the physical remnants of the weapon systems used, and the
medical symptoms exhibited by the victims as documented by medical
staff.

“Rocket debris and symptoms of the victims from the August 21 attacks
on Ghouta provide telltale evidence about the weapon systems used,”
said Peter Bouckaert,
emergencies director at Human Rights Watch and author of the report.
“This evidence strongly suggests that Syrian government troops launched
rockets carrying chemical warheads into the Damascus suburbs that
terrible morning.”

The evidence concerning the type of rockets and
launchers used in these attacks strongly suggests that these are weapon
systems known and documented to be only in the possession of, and used
by, Syrian government armed forces, Human Rights Watch said.

A mother and father weep
over the body of their child, who was killed in an alleged chemical
weapons attack on Ghouta, Syria, on August 21, 2013.

© 2013 Associated Press