Syrian government found responsible for third toxic gas attack on people

UNITEDNATIONS: An international inquiry found Syrian government forces responsible for a third toxic gas attack, according to a confidential report submitted to the UN Security Council on Friday, setting the stage for a showdown between Russia and western council members over how to respond.

The fourth report from the 13-month-long inquiry by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the global chemical weapons watchdog, blamed Syrian government forces for a toxic gas attack in Qmenas in Idlib governorate on March 16, 2015, according to a text of the report seen by Reuters. The third report by the inquiry in August blamed the Syrian government for two chlorine attacks - in Talmenes on April 21, 2014 and Sarmin on March 16, 2015 - and said Islamic State militants had used sulfur mustard gas.

The results set the stage for a Security Council showdown between the five veto-wielding powers, likely pitting Russia and China against the United States, Britain and France over how those responsible should be held accountable.

Following the submission of the third report, Russia said the conclusions could not be used to impose UN sanctions.

The report submitted on Friday said that Syrian government forces had used helicopters to drop barrel bombs, which then released chlorine gas.