The Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in Syria released a report on the “Umm Hawsh” incident in rural Aleppo on September 16, 2016, which it investigated based on an “oral note” sent by the Syrian regime, numbered 113, in which it claimed the use of chemical substances as weapons.
The Fact-Finding Mission published its report on May 1, 2017, numbered (S/1491/2017), confirming that the team had reviewed and analyzed all available information and samples related to the incident, which was reported to have involved the use of toxic chemical substances as weapons.
The FFM sent a team to Syria, consisting of OPCW inspectors and interpreters, from December 11 to 19, 2016, and from January 6 to 12, 2017, to investigate the incident, gather testimonies, and review documents and information provided by the Syrian government.
The report concluded that two victims (women) were reported to have been exposed to sulfur mustard in the Umm Hawsh area of rural Aleppo, according to the results of blood analyses, interviews, and reviewed documents.
The Fact-Finding Mission received communications from the Syrian regime requesting Russia’s assistance in collecting and transporting evidence related to the Umm Hawsh incident. The regime suggested that Russia organize the handover of samples and material evidence in Damascus, in the presence of official representatives from the Russian military. Indeed, the Russian team specializing in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials handed over environmental samples from the incident site and medical samples from the medical staff and hospital where the victims were treated to the technical committee of the regime. These samples then reached the Barzah facility in Damascus, where they were examined by the FFM team.
The FFM team conducted analyses on 26 environmental samples, including a sample from an unexploded mortar shell, which was handed over to the Syrian regime by the Russian team. The FFM also conducted interviews with the victims.
One of the women interviewed, who had been exposed to the chemical substances, described that a projectile resembling a rocket fell on her home. The projectile appeared to be metallic and emitted black smoke. It was approximately 40 cm long.
The woman, along with another victim, was transported to several hospitals, including Afrin and Tal Rifaat. The final medical report concluded that the woman suffered from several symptoms following exposure to the remnants of the “rocket,” including temporary blindness for five days and the appearance of blisters containing yellow fluid that covered her extremities (hands, forearms, elbows, and feet).
The report confirmed that the samples indicated the presence of mustard gas isomers, specifically disulfide and trisulfide, as well as some types of chlorine, indicating the use of excess sulfur monochloride.
Aleppo chemical_attack chemical_weapons FFM Mustard opcw syria Umm Hawsh
