Russia accuses US of phosphorus bomb attack in Syria
The Russian Defense Ministry accused the US military of using phosphorus bombs in an attack on the eastern Syrian province of Deir al-Zour.
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Image of the attack on the town of Deir al-Zour (Photo: Arshif) |
Two US F-15 fighter jets dropped phosphorus bombs on the Syrian town of Deir al-Zour on Saturday, Russia's TASS news agency reported.
The Russian Defense Ministry accused the US military of using phosphorus bombs in an attack on the eastern Syrian province of Deir al-Zour. "Two US warplanes attacked the town of Deir al-Zour on September 8, 2018, using phosphorus weapons," Vladimir Savchenko, director of the Russian reconciliation center at the Humaimam base, said.
The attack sparked large fires in the area but there were no reports of casualties. Vladimir Savchenko stressed that the use of white phosphorus weapons is prohibited under the Additional Protocol to the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
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Location of Hajin town, Syria. Photo:BBC. |
The US has led an international coalition against terrorism in Syria since 2014 without the consent of the Syrian government. US and coalition airstrikes on locations in Syria have killed hundreds of civilians. The Syrian government has accused the US military and its allies of violating its sovereignty and has asked the United Nations to intervene to end the US military presence in Syria.
Russia has repeatedly condemned the coalition's operations in Syria for causing civilian casualties and asserted that the presence of US and coalition troops in Syria is illegal. However, the US government has so far refused to withdraw its troops, citing continued anti-terrorism operations in Syria.
