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| U.S. cites ‘indications’ toxic chemical was used in Syria attack | U.S. cites ‘indications’ toxic chemical was used in Syria attack |
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| The State Department said Monday that it is investigating allegations that the Syrian government used a toxic chemical in an attack in a rebel-controlled area of the country, raising questions about whether President Bashar al-Assad is violating an international agreement to destroy his most lethal chemical stockpiles. | The State Department said Monday that it is investigating allegations that the Syrian government used a toxic chemical in an attack in a rebel-controlled area of the country, raising questions about whether President Bashar al-Assad is violating an international agreement to destroy his most lethal chemical stockpiles. |
| “We have indications of the use of a toxic industrial chemical, probably chlorine, in Syria this month,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. She said the toxin was used in the rebel-held village of Kafr Zeita, in Hama province, about 125 miles north of Damascus. | “We have indications of the use of a toxic industrial chemical, probably chlorine, in Syria this month,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. She said the toxin was used in the rebel-held village of Kafr Zeita, in Hama province, about 125 miles north of Damascus. |
| Psaki declined to detail any evidence that might substantiate the allegations or to say whether any toxin that might have been used would be considered a chemical weapon. Chlorine gas can be lethal and was used as a crude chemical weapon during World War I. | Psaki declined to detail any evidence that might substantiate the allegations or to say whether any toxin that might have been used would be considered a chemical weapon. Chlorine gas can be lethal and was used as a crude chemical weapon during World War I. |
| Both the Assad government and rebels reported a poison gas attack in Kafr Zeita on April 11; each side blamed the other. The United Nations has not determined what happened. | Both the Assad government and rebels reported a poison gas attack in Kafr Zeita on April 11; each side blamed the other. The United Nations has not determined what happened. |
| Asked about the allegation earlier this month, Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, told ABC’s “This Week” that the reported use of a toxin was so far unsubstantiated. On Sunday, however, French President François Hollande gave some credence to the rebel allegations, telling Europe 1 radio that “several elements” suggest recent chemical weapons use. | |
| “We’re examining allegations that the government was responsible. We take all allegations of the use of chemicals in combat use very seriously,” Psaki said. She said the United States is consulting and sharing information with other nations and organizations, including the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. | “We’re examining allegations that the government was responsible. We take all allegations of the use of chemicals in combat use very seriously,” Psaki said. She said the United States is consulting and sharing information with other nations and organizations, including the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. |
| The OPCW is overseeing the destruction of Syria’s known stockpiles of lethal agents under an agreement reached last year. The organization has set an April 27 deadline for Syria to hand over all chemical weapons stockpiles for destruction. The head of the international chemical weapons mission for Syria estimated Saturday that the government had removed or destroyed 80 percent of the material. | The OPCW is overseeing the destruction of Syria’s known stockpiles of lethal agents under an agreement reached last year. The organization has set an April 27 deadline for Syria to hand over all chemical weapons stockpiles for destruction. The head of the international chemical weapons mission for Syria estimated Saturday that the government had removed or destroyed 80 percent of the material. |
| Syria’s armed conflict is in its fourth year. More than 150,000 people have died, according to activists. Most were killed by conventional weapons, but opposition groups have long claimed that the Assad government has used small-scale chemical attacks against civilians in rebel-held areas. | Syria’s armed conflict is in its fourth year. More than 150,000 people have died, according to activists. Most were killed by conventional weapons, but opposition groups have long claimed that the Assad government has used small-scale chemical attacks against civilians in rebel-held areas. |
| Last summer, a large chemical weapons attack near the capital, Damascus, killed hundreds of people. The Obama administration and allies blamed Assad, and President Obama said the deliberate gassing of civilians crossed a “red line” that required an American response. | Last summer, a large chemical weapons attack near the capital, Damascus, killed hundreds of people. The Obama administration and allies blamed Assad, and President Obama said the deliberate gassing of civilians crossed a “red line” that required an American response. |
| Planned airstrikes against Syrian military sites were called off in late August, however, because of the prospect that Assad might voluntarily give up his stockpiles. He quickly agreed to do so under a deal brokered by Russia and the United States. | Planned airstrikes against Syrian military sites were called off in late August, however, because of the prospect that Assad might voluntarily give up his stockpiles. He quickly agreed to do so under a deal brokered by Russia and the United States. |