Use of chemical weapons in Syria: EU imposes sanctions against 4 high-ranking military officials / Poison gas attack in Syria

On 20 March 2017, the Council added four high-ranking military officials to the list of those targeted by EU restrictive measures against the Syrian regime. The EU added these four persons for their role in the use of chemical weapons against the civilian population, in line with the EU's policy to fight the proliferation and use of chemical weapons.

This decision brought to 239 persons the total number of persons targeted by a travel ban and an assets freeze for being responsible for the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria, benefiting from or supporting the regime, and/or being associated with such persons. In addition, 67 entities were targeted by an assets freeze.

In April 2017 a further example of civilians in Syria being affected by the use of chemicals was reported in news sources. Dozens of people were killed on the 4 April 2017 in the Syrian province of Idlib by what was thought to be a poison gas attack. However, the exact cause of the attack was not clear.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Adoption of a Joint Communication proposing an EU Strategy for Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/adoption-of-a-joint-communication-proposing-an-eu-strategy-for-syria/

The Conversation, 04.04.17: The latest suspected chemical attack in Syria brings destruction – and deception https://theconversation.com/the-latest-suspected-chemical-attack-in-syria-brings-destruction-and-deception-75718

Wikipedia: Use of chemical weapons in the Syrian civil war https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use_of_chemical_weapons_in_the_Syrian_civil_war

BBC News, 04.04.17: Syria conflict: 'Chemical attack' in Idlib kills 58 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-39488539

Website: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights http://www.syriahr.com/en/

Euro|Topics: Debates, April 2017: Poison gas attack in Syria / Will the gas attack change the US's Syria policy? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/177226/poison-gas-attack-in-syria

Politico, 26.04.17: France says Syrian government behind chemical weapons attack http://www.politico.eu/article/france-says-syrian-government-bashar-al-assad-behind-sarin-gas-chemical-weapons-attack/

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