Witnesses report chemical attacks in 2 Syrian cities

A search and rescue team in northern Syria says on Tuesday planes dropped cylinders suspected of containing chlorine gas over a residential area in the city of Saraqeb.

On Facebook, the anti-regime Idlib Civil Defense group said 30 people had difficulty breathing after the attack. A doctor who treated some patients told CNN their symptoms were consistent with "those of someone who had suffered from chlorine poisoning." On Monday, a Russian helicopter was downed in the region by an unknown group; Russia supports the Syrian government and denies a chemical attack took place. U.S. officials told CNN evidence points to the Syrian government being behind the attack, since unlike the opposition, they have airplanes.

The second attack took place in Aleppo, and the Syrian government claims "terrorist groups" carried it out. The city's health director told Syrian state media five civilians were killed by "shells containing poisonous gas." The eastern part of the city is held by rebels and under siege by government forces, resulting in a lack of food, medicine, water, and fuel.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up