UK Statement on Allegations of Chemical Weapons Use in Aleppo

FCO Spokesperson:

The Syrian regime and its supporters have alleged that opposition forces carried out a chlorine attack on civilians in Aleppo on 24th November. We have seen nothing to support the claims made by Russia and Syria.

The UK assesses it highly unlikely that chlorine was used in this incident, as the regime and its Russian allies have claimed. It is highly unlikely that the opposition was responsible.

It is likely that this was either a staged incident intended to frame the opposition, or an operation which went wrong and from which Russia and the regime sought to take advantage.

We frequently see the Syrian regime and its partners making false claims and using disinformation to cover their tracks. Allegations that the UK or its allies are in any way involved in this, or any other incident involving chemical weapons in Syria, are complete fabrications.

We continue to work closely with international partners to establish more fully exactly what happened. We encourage those with relevant information to share it, and cooperate fully with the OPCW as it gathers information to further assess the incident. It is important for Syrians and the international community that the truth comes out.

The United States has today also issued a statement on this incident -

https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2018/12/287941.htm

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بيان من الخارجية البريطانية حول ادعاء النظام السوري وداعميه هجوماً بالكلور من المعارضة في حلب، مؤكداً عدم وجود ما يدعمه، وأن اتهام بريطانيا بالتورط اختلاق كامل.