Thread by @EliotHiggins

A new OPCW Fact-Finding Mission report on chemical weapon use in Syria. It's interesting to look at the analysis they're doing on the chlorine cylinders used, I expect we'll see similar analysis in the final report on the Douma chemical attack.

https://twitter.com/OPCW/status/1488452580996956163

The report references an article written by @Hadi_alkhatib of @mnemonicorg about the attack, which includes various open source material from the attack. bellingcat.com/news/mena/2016…

The OPCW FFM concludes that there's "reasonable grounds to believe that the chlorine cylinder was used as a weapon. The cylinder ruptured as a result of mechanical force and released a toxic irritant substance that affects the respiratory system and mucous membranes."

As always, it should be noted the OPCW FFM is not the final investigative authority, but exists to establish that the use of chemical weapons occurred, and the incident will be further investigated by the OPCW Investigation and Identification Team (IIT).

First time the OPCW FFM has included a graphic like this, that breaks down the timeline of the investigation process. Good to see this level of transparency in their reports.

The OPCW FFM notes Russia destroyed a hospital where victims were treated, and other hospitals where victims were treated were destroyed in air strikes. They even link to a Russian video of the destroyed hospital

As with other chlorine attacks, the remains of a metal frame was documented close to the impact site. These have the same configurations as the frames seen in other attacks, including the fin shape and position, and the hole in the metal strap used to bolt it over the cylinder.

You can see the bolts on the frames from the Douma chlorine attacks, which I examine in detail here bellingcat.com/news/mena/2018…

The OPCW FFM report also includes modelling of the possible impacts, and the crater it would have created to establish the damage is consistent with the allegations. Expect to see more of this in the final Douma report.

As with other OPCW FFM reports into lesser known chemical attacks we can expect the usual denialists to barely acknowledge (if at all) this report because it doesn't fit their narrative of fake chemical attacks drawing the US into bombing Syria.

Also because it didn't make the news back when it happened, so this is probably the first time they've ever heard about it. If they do talk about it, it'll just be an excuse for them to bring up Douma again, because that's all they've done any "research" on.

If you want to learn more about the scale of chemical attacks in Syria this report from @GPPi is essential reading gppi.net/2019/02/17/the…

And also read this thread

https://twitter.com/tobiaschneider/status/1488474847160188929