Activists have accused the Syrian government of using chemical weapons in an attack in Damascus that has killed and wounded scores of people. Today's reports are the latest in a long list of alleged chemical attacks in Syria over the past year. According to reports from the Associated Press, United Nations Middle East envoy Robert Serry has said that the United Nations has received reports of 13 separate instances of alleged chemical weapons use in Syria.
Here is a look at five of the possible chemical weapons attacks in Syria this year:
1. March 19, 2013, Khan al-Assal
Allegations were made of a chemical weapons attack in Khan al-Assal, a town outside Aleppo, which killed at least 30 people.
Reuters reported: “A Reuters photographer said victims he had visited in Aleppo hospitals were suffering breathing problems and that people had said they could smell chlorine after the attack.”
2. March 24, 2013, Adra
Activists alleged that Syrian forces used chemical weapons against rebels in the town of Adra, near Damascus. Reuters reported that the attack killed two and wounded many more.
3. April 13, 2013, Sheik Maksoud, Aleppo
ABC News reported on the allegations of a chemical attack. The story quoted a doctor in a nearby hospital where victims were treated as saying, “The symptoms and treatment clearly indicate that chemical agents caused the deaths of a woman and two children, and injured more than a dozen people.”
4. April 29, 2013, Soraqeb
Activists alleged chemical attacks that led to one fatality and seven injuries. According to a BBC story, there were unverified eyewitness reports of canisters being dropped by a helicopter on the town.
5. Aug. 21, 2013, Damascus
Activists have accused the Syrian government of launching chemical attacks in Damascus. Estimates of the number of fatalities range from 100 to 1,300 killed. Disturbing, and at times graphic, videos have been circulating on the Internet of the victims of these alleged chemical attacks.