Syrian government forces accused of dropping barrel bombs containing chlorine from the helicopters on the suburb of Aleppo, injuring 80 people. Volunteer emergency workers said that people suffered breathing difficulties after the attack on the Sukkari area.
A UN-led inquiry concluded last month that the government had used chlorine on at least two occasions. The Syrian government has denied using chemical weapons.
Syrian opposition leaders will be meeting in London on Wednesday to launch a new plan for a political transition to try to end the five-year civil war. The umbrella group representing opposition factions, High Negotiations Committee, will be hosted by the UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. Foreign ministers from the Friends of Syria group of countries, which have supported the rebellion against the President Bashar al-Assad, will also attend.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said that he still believe in a political solution to the conflict and that Mr Assad is not in a “position of advantage or victory”, despite his forces’ recent advances.
“But if Bashar al-Assad continues to be obstinate and continues to drag his feet and continues to refuse to engage seriously, then obviously there will have to be a Plan B which will involve more stepped up military activity,” he said.
By Premji
