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A new very detailed report from @GPPi examines the logic behind the use of chemical weapons in Syria, identifying 336 confirmed uses of chemical weapons, despite the international communities' various red lines.
gppi.net/2019/02/17/the…
gppi.net/2019/02/17/the…
The report maps out the use of chemical weapons over Syria since 2012, tracking the use of chemical weapons by Syrian government forces in relation to activity on the ground.
Despite the supposed destruction of Syria's chemical weapon programme, the vast majority of chemical attacks, almost all with chlorine, were documented after the August 21st 2013 Sarin attacks in Damascus.
The report demonstrates that the use of barrel bombs and in particular chlorine filled munitions is closely linked to the activities of the Syrian government's Tiger Forces.
What stands out for me in the report is the tiny number of active transport helicopters in the Syrian Air Force, the main platform for delivering chlorine bombs. Destroying these would be far more effective at stopping chemical weapon use than missile strikes on empty airfields.
