Rebels: Dozens wounded in Damascus chemical attack
Al Arabyia reports rebel claims that Assad's army has fired chemical laced mortars into a residential neighborhood in Damascus, causing many to suffer breathing issues. In additional incident, rebels claimed were attacked with phosphorous; kill Hezbollah men
According to the report, dozens of people suffered respiration problems after the Syrian army bombarded the Al Asali district in Damascus with chemically laced mortars. There were no further reports regarding the condition of the wounded.
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In another, second attack, rebels reported being hit by phosphorous laced mortars in residential areas in which fighting is currently being conducted.
Alleged chemical arms use in Aleppo (Photo: Reuters)
In the meantime, rebels reported that they had managed to kill seven Hezbollah fighters trying to make their way to Homs to partake in the fights currently underway there. They additionally reported killing four Iranians after destroying the Syrian government car they were traveling in.
Saturday's reports join the long list of alleged cases of chemical weapons use on the part of Assad's regime.
On Thursday, the BBC reported that residents of the northern Syrian town of Saraqeb said government helicopters had dropped at least two devices containing poisonous gas.
The reports echoed those of Saturday in terms of both location and outcome. On Thursday, doctors at the local hospital told the BBC's correspondent that the wounded admitted, eight in all, suffered from breathing problems, as was reported in Saturday's Al Asali attack.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Friday that tests conducted on Syrian casualties, who arrived in Turkey, suggested chemical weapons may have been used by Syrian security forces.
“We have been making tests and we have some indications regarding chemical weapons being used, but in order to make sure and verify we are continuing these tests and will be sharing these tests with UN agencies,” Davutoglu was reported saying by Reuters.
Assad's forces and opposing rebels have accused each other of using chemical weapons.
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