Syrian conflict: Saraqeb ‘attacked with chlorine gas’

Barrels suspected to contain chlorine gas have been dropped on a town in Syria, a doctor and rescuers have said. It is not clear who was responsible.

The attack took place in Saraqeb in Idlib province, near where a Russian military transport helicopter was shot down by rebels hours earlier. About 30 people, mostly women and children, have been affected. Chlorine gas can cause victims to become short of breath and to foam blood from the mouth.

Both sides in Syria’s civil war have been accused of, and denied, using chemical agents. A Russian military helicopter was shot down near Saraqeb on Monday, killing five crew. It is not clear who brought it down.

It was the biggest single loss of life suffered by Russian troops since they entered the conflict in Syria last year, on the side of President Bashar al-Assad.

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Image courtesy of Reuters