BEIRUT - Syria's state news agency accused rebels on Tuesday
of using chemical weapons in an attack in the northern province of Aleppo which
it said killed 15 people.
"Terrorists fired a rocket containing chemical
substances in the Khan al-Assal area of rural Aleppo and initial reports
indicate that around 15 people were killed, most of them civilians," SANA news
agency said.
It was not immediately possible to verify the report and
SANA gave no further details. There was no immediate response from Syrian rebel
forces.
President Bashar Assad, fighting a two-year uprising against
his rule, is widely believed to have a chemical arsenal. Syrian officials have
neither confirmed nor denied having a chemical weapons capability but have said
that if it existed it would be used to defend against foreign aggression, not
against Syrians.
Western nations have warned Damascus against any use of
chemical weapons and have also expressed concern about stockpiles falling into
the hands of militant groups.
