French Journalists Report Chemical Weapons Use Near Damascus

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

French newspaper Le Monde reported Monday that the Syrian army is using chemical weapons against rebel forces in the outskirts of Damascus, quoting two of its journalists who were in the area in April and May.

The journalists "witnessed over several consecutive days" the use of explosive chemical weapons and their effects on rebel fighters in the village of Jobar on the outskirts of the capital, reporter Jean-Philippe Remy wrote.

Photographer Laurent Van der Stockt reported that on April 13 he saw fighters "suffocating and vomiting" in the area after an apparent attack using chemical weapons.

The journalists said they had gathered witness accounts of the use of chemical weapons in a large area around Damascus.

One doctor in a rebel-held area told the newspaper that the weapons caused breathing difficulties, headaches and nausea, and could cause death if victims were not treated.

"The gases are used on the front on an ad hoc basis, avoiding widespread use that would easily provide irrefutable evidence," Remy wrote.

A top U.N. envoy said Wednesday there are "mounting reports" of the use of chemical weapons in Syria and called on Damascus to let in U.N. investigators.

Comments 3
Missing ya_kord 27 May 2013, 15:14

it wasn't a paper or report.... it was a U.N investigator doing an interview with a media outlet. the U.N commission immediately distanced themselves from her "comments" and not report or paper!

Missing ya_kord 27 May 2013, 15:18

besides if the west gave rebels chemical weapons to use so they would make it look that assad used it and they can intervene for crossing the line, then why didn't the west enter the war yet?

Default-user-icon Dimitri (Guest) 27 May 2013, 15:28

I do believe more to Carla Del Ponte, than to the paid french journalists, that the qatary paid so called "Rebels" use frequently chemical weapons, than the official Syrian army!