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11/22/2024 12:00:33 am

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OPCW's Chemical Weapons Team Ambushed In Syria

OPCW

(Photo : cumberlink.com) U.N. convoy in Syria.

A team of international investigators looking into the alleged used of chlorine bombs in Syria was ambushed on Tuesday on their way back to their base. 

According to the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the recent recipient of the Nobel Prize, a convoy of their inspectors that work with United Nations (U.N.) staff to investigate the site of the alleged chlorine gas attack was fired at by snipers. 

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The OPCW issued a statement and said all its team members are safe and well, but did not provide further details. 

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had agreed last year to transfer the country's stockpile of chemical weapons after being scrutinized internationally for the deaths of hundreds of people near Damascus. Sarin gas was used last year that claimed many lives. 

In recent months, opposition to al-Assad accused his administration. There were alleged reports in Damascus that the military used chlorine bombs placed in barrels and were dropped from helicopters. Damascus, however, denies the allegations. 

The Syrian government has accused rebels of kidnapping joint members of the OPCW and the U.N. 

In a statement issued by the Syrian Foreign Ministry, the OPCW/U.N. team was on its way to Kfar Zeita village. The two opposing parties agreed on a ceasefire between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to allow the international experts conduct their investigation. 

The ministry said there were two cars that carried 11 people. Five are Syrian drivers, while the other six are international investigators. The convoy was fired upon with one car getting hit by a bomb and only one of the two cars was able to return safely to base.  The ministry said the convoy was abducted by terrorist groups. 

However, the opposition also denied the attack and said it was Assad's forces that was responsible for the ambush and did not mention any abduction. 

The OPCW is having a hard time conducting inspections in Syria, although the ruling government agreed to provide them with security. The chemical weapons watchdog described accessing Syrian territory a "particularly challenging undertaking." 

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