Alleged Chemical Attack Khan Sheikhoun 4 April 2017

On April 4, 2017, reports emerged of an alleged Chemical attack in Khan Sheikhoun, in Idlib province at the border to Hama province (wikimapia) - apparently on 3 April - claiming dozens killed, including several children. Victims were said to suffer fainting, foaming at the mouth, and eventual asphyxiation. (the symptoms described and shown aren't clearly those of sarin, but definitely not those of chlorine)

Within a day, the reported death toll was at least 70 people. This makes it at least the third deadliest alleged CW attack in Syria so far. It's reported the dead are all or mostly civilians, and include at least 43 children. The majority of photos show infants and youths, and a few adult males.

ACLOS analysis has begun, as usual working out initially on the discussion page.

Reactions

 * French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault called for an UNSC emergency meeting.
 * Erdogan called Putin over the event, "said such inhumane attacks are unacceptable".
 * The Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement denying having conducted any strikes near the town.
 * Syrian Army sources told Al Masdar News that they have flown an attack with an SU-22 on a missile factory in Khan Sheikhoun, without using chemical weapons or knowing about any stocks in the targeted factory.
 * In a statement on the morning of April 5, Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson Konashenkov states that the Syrian attack "targeted a militant-held ammunition depot on the eastern outskirts of the city Khan Sheikhun. [...] Workshops for the production of land mines stuffed with poisonous substances were on the territory of this warehouse.”
 * John McCain on CNN

Activist claims

 * Activists say gas attack kills civilians in Syria as EU leaders discuss reconstruction - Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, April 4, 2017
 * Syria conflict: 'Chemical attack' in Idlib kills dozens - BBC World News
 * Mark on Twitter

Photos

 * Dozens of dead and injured after poison gas attacks targeted «Khan Shaikhoun» Brive Idlib (Photos)
 * Reuters photos by Ammar Abdullah

Video

 * YouTube playlist - Petri Krohn
 * YouTube playlist - Brown Moses / Eliot Higgins‏

Analysis

 * Jumping to conclusions; something is not adding up in Idlib chemical weapons attack - Paul Antonopoulos, AMN, April 4, 2017