OPCW's Chemical Weapons Team Ambushed In Syria
Lemuel Cacho | | May 28, 2014 02:59 PM EDT |
(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.
Like Us on Facebook
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."
TagsOPCW, UN, chemical weapons, chlorine gas attacks, Damascus
©2015 Chinatopix All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission
EDITOR'S PICKS
-
Did the Trump administration just announce plans for a trade war with ‘hostile’ China and Russia?
-
US Senate passes Taiwan travel bill slammed by China
-
As Yan Sihong’s family grieves, here are other Chinese students who went missing abroad. Some have never been found
-
Beijing blasts Western critics who ‘smear China’ with the term sharp power
-
China Envoy Seeks to Defuse Tensions With U.S. as a Trade War Brews
-
Singapore's Deputy PM Provides Bitcoin Vote of Confidence Amid China's Blanket Bans
-
China warns investors over risks in overseas virtual currency trading
-
Chinese government most trustworthy: survey
-
Kashima Antlers On Course For Back-To-Back Titles
MOST POPULAR
LATEST NEWS
Zhou Yongkang: China's Former Security Chief Sentenced to Life in Prison
China's former Chief of the Ministry of Public Security, Zhou Yongkang, has been given a life sentence after he was found guilty of abusing his office, bribery and deliberately ... Full Article
TRENDING STORY
-
China Pork Prices Expected to Stabilize As The Supplies Recover
-
Elephone P9000 Smartphone is now on Sale on Amazon India
-
There's a Big Chance Cliffhangers Won't Still Be Resolved When Grey's Anatomy Season 13 Returns
-
Supreme Court Ruled on Samsung vs Apple Dispute for Patent Infringement
-
Microsoft Surface Pro 5 Rumors and Release Date: What is the Latest?