ISTANBUL
A top Syrian opposition figure has said its fighters have taken samples from victims of an alleged chemical attack in last week that killed hundreds of civilians in the suburbs of capital Damascus
The samples had been sent for experts' attention abroad to verify the attack, said Badr Jamous, Secretary General of Syrian Revolutionary Forces in a conference he held Friday in Istanbul.
Jamous declined to specify where the samples were sent.
The chemical attack, which might be the deadliest in a quarter century if confirmed, was carried out by forces loyal to Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad with rockets that have the capacity to carry chemical warheads, Jamous said.
"Assad's forces and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) clashed from early morning till dusk on 20 August in the suburban areas of capital Damascus," he said.
"At night, the airstrikes stopped and helicopters launched the attack using chemical weapons."
Jamous said Brigade 155, based north of capital, was the army division that mounted the attacks.
He added it was not clear what type of chemical agent was used.
The attack was met with international concern, leading to calls on the Syrian government to allow a UN team already on the ground to investigate claims of chemical weapon use.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
