OPCW’s Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) issued a report on the incident in Al- Lataminah in the Hama Governorate in Syria on March 30, 2017.
The Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) published a report on November 2, 2017, with number (S/1548/2017), in which it confirmed the use of a chemical material (Sarin Gas) as a weapon in an attack on Al- Lataminah in Hama countryside.
During its investigation of a previous claim (Khan Sheikhoun, Idleb Governorate allegation,occurred on April 4, 2017, which is the priority of the investigation), the fact-finding mission was tasked with searching for allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Al- Lataminah, so the (FFM) was not able to visit Al- Lataminah site incident shortly after it occurred, specifically since the area was at that moment labelled as a military zone (since the allegation verification until the drafting of the report).
The Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) interviewed witnesses and collected environmental samples in a neighboring country. These samples were provided by interviewees and supplemented with limited hospital records. The (FFM) also collaborated with NGOs, such as the Chemical Violations Documentation Center in Syria and the Syria Civil Defense, to thoroughly investigate existing information.
The (FFM) team conducted interviews with 10 individuals, including victims and medical personnel involved in treatment (three witnesses, three sample collectors, three medical support staff, and one treating doctor), all of whom were male.
According to witnesses interviewed by the (FFM), on 30 March 2017, at approximately 6 a.m., a jet was heard, followed by the sound of four air-launched shells. These struck about 500 meters from the town of Latamna, in its southern suburbs. The third explosion was notably different, quieter than the others, with no accompanying smell or smoke, unlike previous attacks.
Furthermore, the (FFM) team obtained environmental samples, including parts of ammunition recovered from the targeted sites, as well as soil samples collected the day after the alleged incident.
Based on several factors, including the analysis of samples, witness testimonies, and limited medical records, the Mission determined that 16 individuals (out of 65 hospitalized) displayed symptoms consistent with exposure to a cholinesterase inhibitor.
Additionally, laboratory analyses confirmed the presence of sarin in the samples, which included parts of ammunition, as well as traces of other chemicals, such as potential impurities and sarin-related degradation products.
The report concluded that sarin was used as a chemical weapon against civilians in the city of Al-Lataminah, based on the evidence found in samples collected from the scene of the incident.
chemical_attack chemical_weapons FFM opcw syria
