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US has seen Syria chemical weapons evidence, says Obama | US has seen Syria chemical weapons evidence, says Obama |
(about 13 hours later) | |
President Barack Obama has said the US has seen evidence of chemical weapons being used in Syria. | President Barack Obama has said the US has seen evidence of chemical weapons being used in Syria. |
However, speaking after meeting Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he insisted it was important to get more specific details about alleged chemical attacks. | However, speaking after meeting Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he insisted it was important to get more specific details about alleged chemical attacks. |
Earlier, residents of a north Syrian town told a BBC reporter how government forces had dropped poisonous gas canisters on them from helicopters. | Earlier, residents of a north Syrian town told a BBC reporter how government forces had dropped poisonous gas canisters on them from helicopters. |
The government has repeatedly denied claims it has used chemical agents. | The government has repeatedly denied claims it has used chemical agents. |
It is unclear why the well-armed regime would deploy chemical weapons, which are illegal under international law. | It is unclear why the well-armed regime would deploy chemical weapons, which are illegal under international law. |
But allegations of chemical attacks have been made against the government after assaults in various parts of Syria in March and May. | But allegations of chemical attacks have been made against the government after assaults in various parts of Syria in March and May. |
The US had warned that such a development would be a "red line" for possible intervention. | The US had warned that such a development would be a "red line" for possible intervention. |
And Mr Obama reiterated on Thursday that a whole range of diplomatic and military options were available. | And Mr Obama reiterated on Thursday that a whole range of diplomatic and military options were available. |
"Our militaries are constantly sharing information. We have seen evidence of the use of chemical weapons inside Syria," he said. | "Our militaries are constantly sharing information. We have seen evidence of the use of chemical weapons inside Syria," he said. |
"Those chemical weapons inside of Syria also threaten our security over the long term as well as [that of] our allies and friends and neighbours." | "Those chemical weapons inside of Syria also threaten our security over the long term as well as [that of] our allies and friends and neighbours." |
However, he added that "more specific information" was needed. | However, he added that "more specific information" was needed. |
Mr Erdogan had earlier claimed he had evidence of chemical attacks, and said he and Mr Obama would continue to talk about Syria later in the day. | Mr Erdogan had earlier claimed he had evidence of chemical attacks, and said he and Mr Obama would continue to talk about Syria later in the day. |
Vomiting? | |
Earlier, the BBC's Ian Pannell was told by residents of Saraqeb town near Aleppo that regime had used poisonous gas in an attack on 29 April. | Earlier, the BBC's Ian Pannell was told by residents of Saraqeb town near Aleppo that regime had used poisonous gas in an attack on 29 April. |
Doctors at the local hospital said they had admitted eight people suffering from breathing problems. | Doctors at the local hospital said they had admitted eight people suffering from breathing problems. |
Some were vomiting and others had constricted pupils. One woman died. | Some were vomiting and others had constricted pupils. One woman died. |
Tests are being carried out in France, the UK and Turkey on samples from the site of the attack. | Tests are being carried out in France, the UK and Turkey on samples from the site of the attack. |
Residents have videos they allege show the gas attack. | Residents have videos they allege show the gas attack. |
Some of the videos show objects falling from helicopters, and others feature activists holding canisters. | Some of the videos show objects falling from helicopters, and others feature activists holding canisters. |
The videos are impossible to verify. | The videos are impossible to verify. |
Chemical weapons expert Hamish de Bretton-Gordon said the evidence from Saraqeb was strong, but incomplete. | Chemical weapons expert Hamish de Bretton-Gordon said the evidence from Saraqeb was strong, but incomplete. |
He said the victims of four recent alleged attacks, including in Saraqeb, had shown symptoms consistent with "a nerve type of agent, be it sarin or be it organophosphate". | He said the victims of four recent alleged attacks, including in Saraqeb, had shown symptoms consistent with "a nerve type of agent, be it sarin or be it organophosphate". |
In March, Syria's government and opposition blamed each other for an alleged chemical attack in Khan al-Assal in the north, which killed at least 27 people. | In March, Syria's government and opposition blamed each other for an alleged chemical attack in Khan al-Assal in the north, which killed at least 27 people. |
Both sides called for an inquiry into the incident, and the UN assembled a 15-strong investigation team. | Both sides called for an inquiry into the incident, and the UN assembled a 15-strong investigation team. |
However, the Syrian government has refused the team access, apparently unhappy with their request for the right to look into all credible allegations. | However, the Syrian government has refused the team access, apparently unhappy with their request for the right to look into all credible allegations. |
The UN estimates that two years of conflict in Syria has left at least 80,000 people dead. | The UN estimates that two years of conflict in Syria has left at least 80,000 people dead. |
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