Syria opposition says over 1,300 people killed in chemical attacks by army

Syria’s main opposition group accused the government of “massacring” more than 1,300 people in chemical weapons attacks near Damascus Wednesday, as the UN Security Council called for “clarity” and expressed “strong concern” over the allegations.

The accusation, which was strongly denied by Damascus, came as a team of UN inspectors was in Syria to probe previous allegations of chemical weapons strikes levelled against both sides during the 29-month conflict.

Following an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in New York, the council’s president, Argentina’s envoy Maria Cristina Perceval, said: “There must be clarity on what happened and the situation must be followed carefully.”

She added that members “welcomed the determination of the secretary general to ensure a thorough, impartial and prompt investigation”.

The 15-nation body expressed “strong concern” about the allegations and agreed that any chemical weapons use is “a violation of international law”.