By Brittani Howell

 Impunity Watch Reporter, The Middle East

Damascus, Syria 

On Friday, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) stated that mustard gas has been used by insurgents in Syria. The use of mustard gas is alleged to be the cause of death of an infant in August.

A projectile alleged to have contained mustard gas, lands in Aleppo, Syria in September. (Photo Courtesy of the Guardian)

“In this case, the team was able to confirm with the utmost confidence that at least two people were exposed to sulfur mustard, and that it is very likely that the effects of this chemical weapon resulted in the death of an infant,” stated the OPCW.

Mustard gas, or sulfur mustard, can cause severe damage, in the form of blisters, to the skin, eyes, respiratory system, and internal organs.  Sulfur mustard also can cause severe itching and wheezing.

On August 21, the town of Marea was hit by a mortar. According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF) a family of four had suffered difficulty breathing and developed blisters as a result of a mortar striking their home. The symptoms pointed to a mustard gas attack.

It is alleged that the Islamic State was responsible for the attack on Marea in August. Many fear that the Islamic State is using chemical weapons in Syria and in Iraq.

The OPCW also reported that toxic chemicals, including chlorine, were alleged to be used in an attack in the Idlib province in March. Human Rights Watch has alleged that Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s president, dropped barrels full of chlorine in a rebel area in March.

According to Assad, 1,300 tons of chemical weapons were destroyed per the agreement with the United States and Russia. The United States, however, suspects that the Syrian government has concealed some of the original stock of weapons.

A spokeswoman for the National Security Council of the United States, stated that the United States is, “continuing to investigate these allegations very closely and to be proactive about the threat from chemical weapons or similar threats.”

Over 250,000 people have been killed since the start of Syria’s civil war. Millions more have been forced to flee. There is growing concern that the use of chemical weapons will greatly escalate the conflict further.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Syria Conflict: ‘Mustard Gas Used’ in Marea Attack – 6 November 2015

CNN – Mustard Gas Used in Syrian Town – 6 November 2015

The Guardian – UN Watchdog Confirms Mustard Gas Attack in Syria – 6 November 2015

The New York Times – Syria: Rebels Used Mustard Gas – 6 November 2015

The Washington Post – Weapons Inspectors Say Non-State Fighters in Syria Used Mustard Gas – 6 November 2015

Author: Impunity Watch Archive