Exclusive: Assad linked to Syrian chemical attacks for first time

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters



Fri Jan 13, 2017 | 12:06pm EST

By Anthony Deutsch
International investigators have said for the first time that they suspect President Bashar al-Assad and his brother are responsible for the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian conflict, according to a document seen by Reuters.

A joint inquiry for the United Nations and global watchdog the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) had previously identified only military units and did not name any commanders or officials.

Now a list has been produced of individuals whom the investigators have linked to a series of chlorine bomb attacks in 2014-15 - including Assad, his younger brother Maher and other high-ranking figures - indicating the decision to use toxic weapons came from the very top, according to a source familiar with the inquiry.

The Assads could not be reached for comment but a Syrian government official said accusations that government forces had used chemical weapons had "no basis in truth". The government has repeatedly denied using such weapons during the civil war, which is almost six years old, saying all the attacks highlighted by the inquiry were the work of rebels or the Islamic State militant group.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-chemical-weapons-idUSKBN14X1XY

[Achilleaze]

1. Pootie Poot's pal

Pootie Poot has lots of unsavory friends.

[Wellstone ruled]

2. Had a

retired Marine Sargent Major mention this in October. He was attached to a special unit working the Iraq and Syria before his Muster Out.

[leftynyc]

3. We should have never gotten involved

Both sides in that battle suck. I feel so sorry for the innocents there. They have nobody who's fighting for THEM.