Chlorine Gas Bomb Dropped On Rebel-Held Part of Idlib, Syria

According to the testimony of several medical workers, a bomb filled with chlorine was dropped by a government helicopter in Saraqeb, a small rebel held town near Idlib, Syria yesterday.

Nine civilians, including two children, died in 15 strikes on the town of Arbin, while seven were killed when a market in the town of Beit Sawa was hit in this attack.

Syrian police sources meanwhile said rebel mortar fire from the enclave killed a woman in the government-controlled Bab Touma district of Damascus’ Old City.

Government and Russian forces stepped up their attacks on rebel-held areas after al-Qaeda-linked jihadists said they had shot down a Russian Su-25 warplane over Idlib on Saturday and killed its pilot on the ground after he ejected.

Chlorine bombs, which burst on impact, have been used on countless occasions during the war in Syria. Those exposed to chlorine can be left choking, foaming at the mouth or suffer violent coughing fits, with children and pensioners especially vulnerable.