Thread by @Syria_Irl

'There have been at least 336 chemical weapons attacks in Syria. Around 98% of these attacks can be attributed to the Assad regime, with the Islamic State group responsible for the rest'

gppi.net/2019/02/17/the…

'Syrian military’s chemical warfare campaign is closely intertwined with its campaign of conventional warfare. Designs of regime’s improvised chlorine munitions clearly derived from conventional barrel bombs,employed by same Syrian military formations via same delivery systems'

'Syrian military has consistently prioritized striking population centers over rebel positions on frontlines.Regime’s persistent widespread use of chemical weapons is best understood as part of overall war strategy of collective punishment of populations in opposition areas'

'Chemical weapons are an integral component of regime arsenal of indiscriminate violence, alongside sieges and high-explosive weapons such as barrel bombs

Assad regime did not merely “get away” with its use of these banned weapons, but succeeded in using them for strategic ends'

'More than two-thirds of Syria’s population are internally or externally displaced, and opposition-held communities have been buckling and surrendering under the cumulative weight – and eventually the mere threat – of violence, including the use of chemical weapons'

'Putting a stop to Syrian regime’s strategy of chemical weapons use will require halting its overall machinery of indiscriminate violence.The international community should directly target the military formations that would be responsible for any future attacks'

'The Syrian helicopter fleet, which has played a critical role in the delivery of conventional and chemical barrel bombs, should be a primary target'