Opposition: Syrian forces fire chemical weapons at rebels
Members of Syrian opposition say Assad forces used chemical weapons near Damascus; 2 dead, 23 injured
Syrian opposition campaigners said on Monday that Syrian forces fired what they said were chemical weapons from multiple rocket launchers at rebels surrounding an army base in the town of Adra on the outskirts of Damascus, killing two fighters and wounding 23.
"Doctors are describing the chemical weapon used as phosphorus that hits the nervous system and causes imbalance and loss of consciousness," said Mohammad al-Doumani, an activist in the nearby town of Douma, where the wounded were transported.
Related stories:
- Report: No chemical weapons used in Syria
- Syrian opposition in disarray
- Chemical attack in north Syria: 'People fell dead to the floor'
According to al-Doumani, "the two fighters were very close to where the rockets exploded and they died swiftly. The rest are being treated with Atropine."
There was no independent confirmation of the attack, which follows the death of 26 people in a rocket attack near the city of Aleppo last week. The authorities and rebels accused each other of firing a missile carrying chemicals there.
Meanwhile, the Syrian rebels say commander of the Free Syrian Army Riad al-Asaad has sustained injuries when an explosive device placed in his car detonated, the Al-Arabiya network reported.
Al-Asaad was reportedly injured in his leg and is receiving medical care in Turkey. Louay al-Meqdad, a coordinator for the Free Syrian Army, told Al-Arabiya that al-Asaad's condition was stable and blamed the Syrian regime for assassination attempt.
Roi Kais contributed to this report
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop
