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Samples from Syrian attack test positive for sarin: UK scientists

Earlier testing by Turkish authorities had also said the chemical used on April 4 was sarin

Reuters April 13, 2017

A man carries the body of a dead child, after what rescue workers described as a suspected gas attack in the town of Khan Sheikhoun in rebel-held Idlib, Syria April 4, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

AMSTERDAM: Samples taken from the alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria last week tested positive for the nerve agent sarin, the British delegation at the world's chemical weapons watchdog said on Thursday.

"UK scientists have analysed samples taken from Khan Sheikhoun. These have tested positive for the nerve agent sarin, or a sarin-like substance," the delegation said during a special session at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague. Earlier testing by Turkish authorities had also said the chemical used on April 4 was sarin.

'Chemical attack' leaves US Syria policy in disarray

At least 72 civilians including 20 children died in the attack on the rebel-held Syrian town of Khan Sheikhun in Idlib province in the north-west.

UN chief says suspected chemical attack shows 'war crimes' in Syria

Earlier, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said all the evidence pointed to Assad being responsible for the attack. “All the evidence I have seen suggests this was the Assad regime… using illegal weapons on their own people,” Johnson said as he arrived for the aid conference.