2014 Kafr Zita chemical attack

Chemical attack in Syrian civil war 2014 Kafr Zita chemical attack the Syrian civil war 11 April 2014 3 civilians Around 100, 5 seriously Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria Chemical attack Chlorine Unknown Unknown The 2014 Kafr Zita chemical attack occurred on 11 April 2014, in the rebel-held northern Syrian town of Kafr Zita during the Syrian Civil War. The attack reportedly wounded around 100 people (5 seriously) and killed three.https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/05/13/syria-strong-evidence-government-used-chemicals-weapon Syria: Strong Evidence Government Used Chemicals as a Weapon Human Rights Watch 13 May 2014https://www.ft.com/content/5685e9c0-cdf3-11e3-9dfd-00144feabdc0 Syria fails to remove all chemical weapons as deadline passes Financial Times 12 September 2014 Syria's state television, SANA blamed the attack on the Islamist Al-Nusra Front using "toxic chlorine", while the opposition blamed barrel bombs dropped by government forces.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27001737 Claims of new poison gas attack in Syria BBC News 12 April 2014 12 September 2014https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2014/04/12/syria-rebels-government-confirm-poison-gas-attack New rebel, government claims of poison gas attack complicates Syria civil war, weapons cleanup U.S. News & World Report 12 September 2014 Background The attack took place in Kafr Zita, a rebel-heldhttps://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/syria-opposition-u-n-must-probe-kafr-zeita-poison-gas-n79101 Kafr Zeita Poison Gas Claims NBC News 13 April 2014 12 September 2014 village located 30 km us north of Hama, in the context of the Syrian Civil War. According to witnesses interviewed by the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission the village has suffered hundreds of conventional attacks since the start of the conflict in Syria. Incident The chemical attack on 11 April 2014, occurred between 18:00 and 19:00.https://photos.state.gov/libraries/netherlands/328666/pdfs/THIRDREPORTOFTHEOPCWFACTFINDINGMISSIONINSYRIA.pdf Third report of the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria OPCW 18 December 2014 24 June 2017 9 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171009195536/https://photos.state.gov/libraries/netherlands/328666/pdfs/THIRDREPORTOFTHEOPCWFACTFINDINGMISSIONINSYRIA.pdf dead The bomb was dropped by a helicopter.Newspaper article including a video allegedly showing the explosion of the bomb. "Witnesses said they saw or heard a helicopter dropping a barrel bomb followed by an odor they likened to household cleaners." Syria probably dropped chlorine gas on civilians, rights group says, by Raja Abdulrahim, Los Angeles Times, May 13, 2014 Victims The attack reportedly wounded around 100 people. Five were seriously wounded while an elderly man originally from Morek, his daughter, and a little girl died from the attack. The elderly man According to VDC, a local monitoring group, the elderly man that died was the 70-year-old Mustafa Ahmad al-Mohammad, an IDP from Morek.http://www.vdc-sy.info/index.php/en/details/martyrs/118175 Mustafa Ahmad al-Mohammad VDC 11 April 2014 13 March 2015 2 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402113531/http://www.vdc-sy.info/index.php/en/details/martyrs/118175 dead According to VDC, he was injured in the head "due to explosive barrel shelling on the town" and died in Kafr Zita at the day of the attack. This statement was supported by a local doctor and the doctor who heads the health department in Hama, which both said the man died from head injuries. The daughter of the elderly man According to VDC, the daughter of the elderly man was Marwa Mustafa Ahmad al-Mohammad, a single 30-year-old woman.http://www.vdc-sy.info/index.php/en/details/martyrs/119048 Marwa Mustafa Ahmad al-Mohammad VDC 16 April 2014 13 March 2015 2 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402120804/http://www.vdc-sy.info/index.php/en/details/martyrs/119048 dead According to VDC, she had severe symptoms from chlorine exposure and was transferred to a hospital in Turkey where she died five days after the attack due to inhaling of chemical and toxic gasses. The little girl According to the local doctor, the little girl died from shortness of breath, while the doctor from the health department in Hama said she died from head injuries. Initial Claims Both the opposition and Syria's state television claimed that the attack led to the killing of two people and several cases of suffocation and poisoning.https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21601001-while-each-side-makes-minor-gains-and-losses-overall-bloody-stalemate Syria's civil war The Economist 12 September 2014 Government claims On Saturday 12 April,http://www.nasrtv.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=19667 Nusra terrorists use poison gas in Hama: Syria TV Nasr TV 13 April 2014 13 March 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402152937/http://www.nasrtv.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=19667 2 April 2015 dead Syria's state television, SANA, claimed that rebels affiliated with the jihadist al-Nusra Front had used "toxic chlorine" on Friday 11 April while attacking the village of Kafr Zita, and said that "the attack led to the killing of two people" and that around 100 "suffered from suffocation".https://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.585296 https://web.archive.org/web/20140413042125/http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.585296 dead April 13, 2014 Syrian state TV, rebels trade allegations over poison gas attack Haaretz 12 April 2014 Opposition claims According to Rami Abdel Rahman, the director of the pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "regime planes bombed Kafr Zita with explosive barrels that produced thick smoke and odours and led to cases of suffocation and poisoning."http://www.arabnews.com/news/554881 Syria rebels, government confirm poison gas attack 12 September 2014 2014-04-12 Opposition activists said the chemical attack occurred during fierce fighting when government troops appeared to be losing control of the strategic town of Khan Shaykhun.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10777059/Syria-Bashar-al-Assad-launching-chemical-weapons-attacks-with-chlorine.html Syria: Bashar al-Assad 'launching chemical weapons attacks with chlorine' 20 April 2014 Telegraph.co.uk 12 September 2014 Local resident claims Local eyewitnesses interviewed by a Palestinian intelligence expert said a "chemical substance" had caused smoke and fumes and that the device hadn't been deployed from a plane. "None of the two suffocation victims, none of the other victims who were affected but recover, or any of those who provided first aid and medical aid to any of the victims suffered any symptoms which would be consistent with a military-grade chemical weapon", the eyewitnesses said.http://nsnbc.me/2014/04/13/intelligence-expert-syria-chemical-attack-a-false-flag-followed-up-with-misinformation/ Intelligence Expert: Syria Chemical Attack a False Flag followed up with Misinformation Nsnbc 13 April 2014 15 March 2015 2 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402200915/http://nsnbc.me/2014/04/13/intelligence-expert-syria-chemical-attack-a-false-flag-followed-up-with-misinformation/ dead Early Commentaries Experts have stated that while using chlorine is not as deadly as conventional weapons, such chemical strikes are valuable in intimidating rebel factions, and according to David Kay, a former U.N. weapons inspector: "says a lot about their [Syrian regimes] lack of fear of consequences. What's the West going to do? It's done nothing so far."https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-officials-say-syria-is-using-remaining-chemical-weapons-stockpile-as-leverage/2014/04/30/1dd68c8a-d0a8-11e3-9e25-188ebe1fa93b_story.html U.S. officials say Syria is using remaining chemical weapons stockpile as leverage Washington Post 12 September 2014 According to Dina Esfandiary, of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the attack was reported as a rebel atrocity on Syrian state TV before it had even happened.https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21601260-deadlines-are-being-met-regime-still-cannot-be-trusted-getting-there Eliminating Syria's chemical weapons The Economist 12 September 2014 Analysis According to Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a director of SecureBio consultancy and a former commander of the British Army's chemical readiness forces, "[t]he evidence from Kafr Zita is pretty compelling and is certainly being examined very carefully by officials." Following subsequent scientific analysis of samples from multiple gas attacks, conducted exclusively for The Telegraph,https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10796150/Syria-chemical-weapons-how-the-Telegraph-found-evidence-of-chlorine-and-ammonia-gas-bombs.html Syria chemical weapons: how the Telegraph found evidence of chlorine and ammonia gas bombs 29 April 2014 Telegraph.co.uk 12 September 2014 he said: "We have unequivocally proved that the regime has used chlorine and ammonia against its own civilians in the last two to three weeks."https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10797723/Syria-chemical-weapons-Britain-calls-for-urgent-investigation.html Syria chemical weapons: Britain calls for urgent investigation 30 April 2014 Telegraph.co.uk 12 September 2014 Independent investigations by reporters from the German magazine Der Spiegelhttp://www.spiegel.de/international/world/evidence-mounts-of-chlorine-gas-attacks-in-syria-a-968108.html Assad's New Bomb: Syrian Regime Hasn't Abandoned Chemical Weapons Spiegel Online 8 May 2014 and Daniele Raineri of Italy's Il Foglio found among the remnants of the bombs debris of apparently civilian Chlorine gas cylinders produced by Chinese manufacturer Norinco.Chinese state owned heavy industry giant Norinco manufactures a wide range of commercial products, including chemicals like Chlorinehttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10823180/Syrian-chemical-weapons-use-backed-up-by-second-investigation.html Syrian chemical weapons use backed-up by second investigation 11 May 2014 Telegraph.co.uk 12 September 2014https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10820440/Found-the-bombs-that-delivered-Syrias-chlorine-gas.html Found: the bombs that delivered Syria's chlorine gas 11 May 2014 Telegraph.co.uk 12 September 2014 Aftermath Following the attack, Syria's opposition Syrian National Coalition called on the United Nations to investigate the incident, along with a similar alleged chemical attack on the same day in the Harasta suburbhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Apr-13/253188-us-looking-into-syria-toxic-gas-reports.ashx#axzz2ypwrIjiP Official: U.S. looking into reports of poison gas use The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon 12 September 2014 of Damascus,http://www.worldbulletin.net/news/133610/un-called-on-to-investigate-poisonous-gas-usage-in-syria https://web.archive.org/web/20140414013532/http://www.worldbulletin.net/news/133610/un-called-on-to-investigate-poisonous-gas-usage-in-syria usurped April 14, 2014 UN called on to investigate poisonous gas usage in Syria World Bulletin 12 September 2014 which was also allegedly attacked again with chemicals on 16 April.https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-footage-rebels-claim-new-assad-chemical-attack/ In footage, rebels claim new Assad chemical attack The Times of Israel 12 September 2014 Later chemical attacks were reported in April at Al-Tamanah in Idlib Governorate, Zahraa near Homs and on the 22 April in both the Damascus suburb of Darayyahttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Apr-23/254094-renewed-chemical-weapons-claims-mount-against-syrian-regime.ashx#axzz2zc4Oz3aD Renewed chemical weapons claims mount against Syrian regime The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon 12 September 2014 and Talmenes, which is 32 km us northeast of Kafr Zita.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10781382/Boy-dies-as-Syrian-regime-carries-out-gas-attack-on-rebels.html Boy dies as Syrian regime carries out 'gas attack' on rebels 22 April 2014 Telegraph.co.uk 12 September 2014 On 19 May, it was alleged that Kafr Zita was again attacked with chlorine, the sixth alleged gas attack in the village in two months, killing one boy and leaving 130 villagers in need of medical attention, including 21 children who were in critical condition.http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/05/21/Video-shows-.html Syrian activists report fresh poison gas attack 21 May 2014 12 September 2014http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/May-21/257226-hollande-issues-warning-on-chemical-strikes.ashx#axzz32MK3ZoVn Hollande issues warning on chemical strikes The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon 12 September 2014 On 21 May, it was again chemically attacked, along with Al-Tamanah, which is located 16 km us away from Kafr Zita.http://www.ibtimes.com/syria-war-three-more-chemical-attacks-reported-russia-china-veto-international-criminal-1588918 Syria War: Three More Chemical Attacks Reported As Russia, China Veto International Criminal Court Action International Business Times 22 May 2014 12 September 2014 On 20 April, French president François Hollande claimed that the Syrian government had used chlorine weapons, stating, "[w]e have a few elements of information but I do not have the proof".https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/syria-conflict-regime-used-chlorine-3437600 Syria conflict: 'Regime used chlorine gas to attack own citizens three times in past week' Josh Layton mirror 20 April 2014 12 September 2014 This was followed a day later by the U.S. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki stating, "we're examining allegations that the government was responsible. We take all allegations of the use of chemicals in combat use very seriously."https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/u-s-examines-possible-chemical-weapons-use-syria-n86026 U.S. Examines Possible Chemical Weapons Use in Syria NBC News 21 April 2014 12 September 2014 However, Andrew Tabler, a Syria expert with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, has remarked on possible American action against the chlorine attacks that "Obama has been pronouncing the [Syrian chemical weapons] deal as a victory so I'm not sure he's ready to jump on the chlorine issue."https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2014/0428/Chlorine-attacks-sink-Syria-s-credibility-on-chemical-weapons-deal-video Chlorine attacks sink Syria's credibility on chemical weapons deal (+video) 28 April 2014 The Christian Science Monitor 12 September 2014 According to an investigation by The Telegraph, comprising testimony from doctors who have treated the wounded, relatives of the victims and eyewitnesses of the latest chemical attacks, it has found "evidence of the regime's continued and systematic use of chemical weapons in Syria" in order to combat heavy pressure from rebel forces. It also noted the rise in deaths and injuries attributed to the chlorine attacks.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10789298/Syria-the-children-killed-by-Assads-chlorine-gas-bombs.html Syria: the children killed by Assad's chlorine gas bombs 25 April 2014 Telegraph.co.uk 12 September 2014 See also Asia Ghouta chemical attack Chemical weapon Use of chemical weapons in the Syrian civil war References 2 Category:Hama Governorate in the Syrian civil war Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war in 2014 Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving chemical weapons Category:April 2014 in Syria Category:April 2014 crimes in Asia Category:2014 murders in Syria Category:Maharda District Category:Helicopter attacks Category:2014 airstrikes Category:Airstrikes during the Syrian civil war Category:Aerial improvised explosive device bombings Category:Improvised explosive device bombings in Syria Category:Improvised explosive device bombings in 2014