Family killed in Syrian regime chlorine gas attack

An entire family was killed in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province after a gas attack was launched on their village last night, according to Amnesty International.

The deaths included three infants under the age of three, who were killed after being exposed to what appears to be chlorine gas.

Civilian area targeted

Around a hundred civilians were hospitalised - all appearing to suffer from the effects of toxic gas inhalation.

A small number of fighters from the Free Syrian Army were also injured, but the vast majority of casualties reported were civilians.

Witnesses say that regime helicopters dropped projectiles loaded with toxic gas on Sarmin between 9:15pm and 11:00pm on 16 March.

"The regime's helicopters dropped two barrel bombs loaded with toxic gas, possibly chlorine, on Sarmin, leading to dozens of suffocation cases. The victims were taken to nearby field hospitals," said Idlib-based activist Sherif al-Sheikh.

"The situation in Sarmin is pitiful; people are living in fear and panic, while smoke has filled the air."

The activist said that there were many casualties from the gas attack, with 17 patients in critical but stable conditions.

"These horrific attacks that resulted in civilians, including small children, suffering excruciating deaths, are yet more evidence that the Syrian government forces are committing war crimes with impunity," said Philip Luther, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Programme Director.

He added that "the situation in Syria must be referred to the International Criminal Court as a matter of urgency." 

Hospitals at breaking point

Amnesty International reported that a doctor and civil defence worker at the scene said those affected by the attack had no injuries associated with conventional weapons.

Symptoms included reddened eyes, shortness of breath, coughing, respiratory distress and vomiting - all characteristic of a chemical weapons attack.

Hospitals in Idlib are suffering from an acute oxygen shortage, while civil defence teams and ambulances are on red alert.

Civilians in the area have been advised to seal their windows and doors with wet towels, Qassem al-Khatib, a reporter for Qassious news agency told al-Araby al-Jadeed.

Rebel-held territory

Sarmin, which is mainly under the control of rebel groups the Ahrar al-Sham ("Free Men of the Levant") and the Jund al-Aqsa ("Soldiers of al-Aqsa") Brigades, has been frequently targeted by the regime, according to local sources.

The regime is suspected of launching a number of gas attacks on civilian areas in Syria, including a chemical assault on Ghouta, a Damascus suburb, which reportedly left up to 1,729 civilians dead in August 2013.

Hospitals in Idlib are suffering from an acute oxygen shortages, while civil defence teams and ambulances are on red alert.

"Today's toxic gas attack came after reports of the opposition's plan to take over the city of Idlib. Thus, this may have been a pre-emptive attack," said a local source.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has found evidence that chlorine gas has been "systematically and repeatedly" used as a weapon of war in Syria.

The United States, Britain, France and human rights groups have accused the Syrian regime of the attacks, which it denies.

This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.