Chemical weapons used in Syria five times, UN reports

A UN report released Thursday said chemical weapons were probably used in five locations in Syria this year, including the attack near Damascus in August.

In addition to Damascus, the report said evidence showed chemical weapons were probably used in Khan al Assal outside Aleppo, Jobar in Damascus’ eastern suburbs, Saraqueb near Idlib in the northwest, and Ashrafiah Sahnaya in the Damascus countryside, the Associated Press reports. The investigative team could not visit the sites because of poor security, but used interviews with medical and military personnel and autopsies of some victims as proof.

The attack in August spurred U.S. threats of military pinpoint strikes on Syria’s chemical weapons delivery systems. Instead, Russia brokered a deal to have Syria get rid of all of its chemical weapons by mid-2014.

Read the full U.N. report.

Related resources:

•  [Verifying the extent of Syria's chemical arsenal could be big challenge](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/july-dec13/syria_09-13.html)

•  [Nobel Peace Prize honors group working to destroy Syria's chemical weapons](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/july-dec13/nobel1_10-11.html)

•  [Destroying chemical arms production ability is 'significant step' for Syria](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/july-dec13/syria2_10-31.html)