On Russia’s Allegations FSA Groups Used Chemical Weapons in Aleppo

Press Statement Original in arabic

Syrian Coalition

Media Office

November 11, 2016

In response to allegations made on Friday by the Russian military that it had evidence of the use of chemical weapons by rebel fighters in Aleppo, an official source in the Syrian Coalition said:

"The Syrian Coalition denies allegations made by Russia about the discovery of artillery shells filled with toxic chlorine gas and white phosphorus in the 1070 Project area in Aleppo from which rebel fighters have recently retreated after violent clashes with regime forces and their allied foreign militias.

"The Syrian Coalition reiterates that the only weapons FSA and rebel groups use in battles against regime forces and their allied foreign sectarian militias in Aleppo are light and anti-tank weapons.

"The munitions referred to in the Russian allegations are used exclusively by the Assad regime and their allied Iranian-backed foreign militias. The Russian allegations represent a stark condemnation against these militias that are known to have used poison gas in several areas in Aleppo.

"The Coalition calls upon the relevant UN bodies to secure those munitions and conduct a careful investigation into the responsibility of the Assad regime and his allies for the use of these munitions."