Russia ‘using illegal chemical weapons’ in jihadis’ heartland
RUSSIA was accused of war crimes yesterday over claims it dropped banned white phosphorus in Syria.
Activists claimed civilians were killed and injured by phosphorus bombs unleashed on an IS stronghold, and in previous air strikes on areas held by anti-Assad forces.
International law bans the use of white phosphorus over civilian areas because it can cause deadly burns. Activists in Syria posted photographs online which showed bright white lights burning through the sky above Raqqa and setting fire to the ground.
The images have not been verified but activists from the Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently network claimed the city had been targeted with phosphorus.
An Iraqi activist wrote on Twitter: ‘#Russianairstrikes on Syrians civilians in #alraqqa yesterday using illegal phosphorus bombs this #warcrimes.’
Last month, witnesses said four people were killed and dozens of civilians injured in white phosphorus attacks on villages near Idlib in north-west Syria. Two children were said to have been among the dead in the attacks, which were in areas controlled by antiregime rebels, not by IS.
White phosphorous is used in shells and grenades and ignites spontaneously when exposed to air at about 30C (86F). It produces intense heat and thick pillars of smoke and can cause lethal burns on contact with skin.
Under international law, it can be used by armies to illuminate targets or as a smokescreen to provide cover for troops in ground operations, but its use as a weapon in civilian areas would breach the Geneva Convention.
The Kremlin has not responded to reports its air strikes have used white phosphorus. Israel faced international condemnation when it used the chemical in an attack on the UN Relief and Works Agency compound in Gaza City in 2009.
US forces used it in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004, and Russian troops used it in the battle for Grozny in 1994.