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UN investigates alleged use of white phosphorus in Syria

Rogue Valley

Rogue Valley

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UN investigates alleged use of white phosphorus in Syria

"Stop the burning, I beg you stop the burning," cried the boy.

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Mohammed, 13, had 12 hours of agony before his phosphorus burns could be treated

10/18/19
UN chemical weapons inspectors have announced they are gathering information following accusations that burning white phosphorus was used by Turkish forces against children in Syria earlier this week. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said on Friday morning that “it was aware of the situation and is collecting information with regard to possible use of chemical weapons”. The Kurdish Red Crescent said in a statement that six patients, both civilian and military, were in hospital in Hasakah with burns from “unknown weapons” and it was working to evaluate what had been used. It said it could not confirm the use of chemical weapons and was “working together with our international partners to investigate this subject”. A British chemical weapons expert sent photographs from a former colleague of a child with a badly burned torso in a frontline hospital said he thought it was likely they showed chemical burns.

Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former commander of the UK’s chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear regiment, said: “The most likely culprit is white phosphorus. It is a horrific weapon, and has been used repeatedly during the Syrian civil war; unfortunately its use has become increasingly normalised.” White phosphorus is routinely held by militaries around the world and is used legally in combat as a smokescreen in daytime and as an incendiary to light up an area at night. But it is illegal to use it against civilians, because it causes serious and exceptionally painful burns on contact with skin. Kurdish officials accused Turkey of using “unconventional weapons” in the conflict on Thursday – a few hours before the ceasefire was announced – and called international inspectors to examine the injured.
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Just like the Russians, it seems Erdogan is using chemical weapons (white phosphorous) in a civilian setting. It is a war crime to use WP in any location where it is likely that civilians are present and can be harmed.

The Organization for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is on the way to northern Syria (Rojava).

Related: Turkey is suspected of using white phosphorus against Kurdish civilians in Syria
 
I'm sure the UN will send a very "meh" condemnation letter to Turkey.
 
who knows what facts are on the ground....pictures and stories can't be trusted from that part of the world...reason we need all troops home
 
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