The United Nations chemical weapons watchdog has reported possible recent use of the nerve gas Sarin by combatants in the Syrian civil war. Acting disarmament Chief Kim Won-soo presented his findings to the Security Council in a closed-door session on Tuesday, citing a report by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Inspectors reportedly investigated eleven separate instances where chemical weapons were used against civilians in Syria. Finger-pointing has gone in both directions. Opposition group leaders allege that forces loyal to President Bashar Al-Assad are responsible for using the illegal gas, while the government charges it was opposition groups including the Islamic State (ISIS) who are responsible. A task-force of experts was designated by the Security Council last summer to determine whether chemical weapons were used and if so, by whom. At the session on Tuesday, the Security Council was told that the Syrian “declared” chemical weapons stockpile has been destroyed.
The UN ’s Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( WHO ) has said that ISIS is likely to be using chemical weapons against its enemies in Iraq and Syria . The OPCW has been investigating 11 alleged chemical weapon attacks reported to it by the Syrian Government . In at least one case , blood samples indicated exposure to the deadly nerve agent sarin or a sarin - like substance . The Syrian Government , which has previously been held responsible for hundreds of chemical weapon - related deaths , claims to have handed over all of its chemical weapon stockpiles . Iraqi and US officials have said that ISIS is known to have used former government stockpiles and laboratories , and also has access to experts , allowing it to pursue a chemical weapons programme .