UN: Syrian Government and ISIS Have Used Chemical Weapons

The United Nations, following investigations, has concluded that the Syrian government and armed opposition forces in the country have used chemical weapons during clashes over the past two years. Global protests against this action have been severe.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany’s Foreign Minister, strongly condemned the use of chemical weapons in Syria and called for an appropriate response to this action. He said: “We strongly condemn the use of chemical weapons in Syria by any force whatsoever.”

Germany’s Foreign Minister on Thursday (September 4/August 25) in Berlin called for a severe response to groups that have used this weapon. Steinmeier said: “The use of chemical weapons, especially against civilians, and the disregard for international agreements in this regard should not go unanswered.”

The UN Commission of Inquiry, after months of investigation, has presented a report and concluded that the Syrian government and jihadists of the “Islamic State” have used chemical weapons during clashes over the past two years. The Commission of Inquiry was mandated by the UN Security Council to investigate this matter.

Germany’s Foreign Minister said the UN report confirms concerns that many have had about this. He called for a decisive response from the Security Council to this action and said: “I hope that the UN Security Council will, based on the facts presented, take unified action and make such action impossible in the future.”

Global Reactions

Jean-Marc Ayrault, France’s Foreign Minister, also called for a decisive response from the United Nations to this action. He said: “France calls for a very strong response to this act. The UN Security Council must handle this matter responsibly.”

The United States has also asked the UN Security Council to punish those who used chemical weapons in Syria.

Samantha Power, the US representative to the United Nations, called for a severe and rapid response from the Security Council. Ned Price, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, said in Washington about this: “We can no longer deny that the Syrian government has not used chlorine gas against its own citizens.”

Although the UN Security Council has threatened to impose sanctions against violators, it remains unclear whether Russia, which provides comprehensive support to Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s president, will veto a Security Council resolution.

The UN Security Council session is scheduled to take place on Tuesday (September 9/August 30) to review the report of this commission.

Source: DW