Why is there particular revulsion over such attacks versus conventional warfare? The population feels they can do nothing to protect themselves. Chemical weapons are invisible and indiscriminate killers than could affect anyone at any time. The fear can even cause symptoms that aren't real.
An estimated 100,000 people have died in the Syrian civil war including women, children, and other innocent bystanders. Chemical weaponry creates a different psychological aspect of immense fear that other weapons do not. It's terrifying because you can't see it or smell before it hits you. The weapons kill in minutes and are indiscriminate.
Rule 74 prohibits the use of chemical weapons. Only 13 states are not part of this party but at least 3 consider the use of chemical weapons unlawful. This link provides different groups that prohibit the use of chemical weapons in both non international and international armed conflicts.
Russia will hand to the UN evidence implicating Syrian rebels in the chemical attack that occurred on August 21 in Damascus. The report blames the rebels although the US has believed it to be the regime who used the chemical weapons. Russia is one of Syria's most important international ally.
Testimony from both medical personnel and information from casualties shows that rebels have been using Sarin gas. It is strong evidence but not proof. The attacks that have occurred have been blamed on both the regime and the rebels but the truth is still unknown.
Syrian rebels, not the Assad Regime, may have made use of the deadly nerve agent, sarin, in their war-torn country. There is no confirmation and testing is still being preformed.
The Obama administration says there is little doubt that President Bashar Assad's regime is to blame for last week's reported attack, but there has been research into the possibility of the rebels using chemical weapons. It is possible but not likely. If the rebels were to use chemical weapons they would not use it in an area with such little soldier population. additionally it is the regime that has the controlled stockpiles of chemical weapons, not the rebels.
UNODA- United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. This site discusses the use of the Geneva Protocol in regards to chemical weaponry. The protocol prohibits use of chemical weaponry in warfare but does not prohibit stock piling. Geneva adopted the chemical weapons convention which established the organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons (OPCW)
This is a complicated war. This site explains in more detail than others and with more emotions put into it as well. It offers first hand accounts of men and women involved in the civil war. Also it discusses the refugee camps that are not mentioned in other sites. The site states that this is a messy, cruel war where neither side has much regard for civilian casualties.
This link provides information regarding President Bashar al-Assad of Syria. There is a summary of his ruling which has been since 2000, as well as many more facts pertaining to personal life, public life, human rights role, foreign relations and much more.
This link is considered a refresher course on the Syrian civil war. It mentions how it started, who's involved, the reasoning behind the fighting, the death toll, the leadership, and much more.
This website offers eight steps to understanding the Syrian conflict. The sections include: uprising turns violent, descent into civil war, war crimes, chemical weapons, humanitarian crisis, Syrian refugees in the region, rebels and the rise of the jihadists, peace efforts, & proxy war
Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday delivered a fiery response to reports that the Assad regime used chlorine gas as part of an attack this week. The Obama administration is backing the Syrian opposition against Assad regime but has not made plans to take direct action.
there is uncertainty on destruction of chemical weapons and facilities. This thought arose shortly after the most resent attack on the Syrian people through the use of chlorine gas. There needs to be further investigation into the presence of chemical weapons and facilities
New videos purportedly show victims of chlorine gas attacks in Idlib. The attack occurred on March 16, 2015. the attack is allegedly chlorine gas and killed at least six people
Another attack on the Syrian people occurred on Monday, March 16. The attack killed at least six people, including infants and injured many others. The attacked occurred in a village in northwestern Syria. It is reported that there was use of chlorine gas.
Another attack on the Syrian people occurred on Monday, March 16. The attack killed at least six people, including infants and injured many others. The attacked occurred in a village in northwestern Syria. It is reported that there was use of chlorine gas.
In August of 2014, the Obama administration announced the completion of destruction of Syrian chemical weapon stockpile was destroyed. The stockpile was aboard a Danish cargo ship and held some of the worlds most dangerous weapons.
according to the UN, 96 percent of Syria's chemical weapons have been destroyed and the preparation for destruction of the 12 remaining facilities is underway. The UN hopes that peace and political process will be Syria's main priority soon.
International anti-WMD groups worried about discrepancies in war-torn nations chemical weapons stores. Syria has agreed under OPCW to destroy their chemical weapons stock pile but there is concern that stock piles are being hidden and therefore will not be destroyed.
Syria, in agreement with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is destroying all of it's chemical weaponry facilities and all products. There are a total of 12 facilities that are expected to be destroyed by this summer, 2015. There are also underground facilities and aircraft carrier that are expected to be destroyed as well. A current total of 1300 metric tons has been destroyed from Syria thus far.