Did The Rebels Use Chemical Weapons: The UN Report and the EvidenceDevon Douglas-Bowers In the report, the UN stated the following: Information about the delivery systems used was essential for the investigation. Indeed, several surface to surface rockets capable of delivering significant chemical payloads were identified and recorded at the investigated sites.[3] The main questions that need to be asked are: In regards to the sarin gas, the Syrian rebels did in fact have sarin gas before the day of the incident. Just this past May, it was reported that according to the UN Testimony from victims strongly suggests it was the rebels, not the Syrian government, that used Sarin nerve gas.[4] This is further expounded upon in a report by the Middle East Media Research Institute released in July which stated that antiaircraft, antitank, and surface-to-surface weapons are in the hands of both the Free Syrian Army (FSA), which is considered relatively moderate, and the local and global Islamist forces.[6] (emphasis added) This evidence reveals that it is possible for the rebels to have launched the chemical weapons attack. We need to keep in mind that the US and its allies have yet to present any evidence whatsoever that the Assad government used chemical weapons. We also need to remember that the report left the key question of who launched the attack unanswered.[7] The jury is still out on if Assad used chemical weapons. Endnotes [1] Steve Holland, White House says U.N. report on Syrias chemical weapons bolsters U.S. argument, Reuters, September 16, 2013 (http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/16/us-syria-crisis-usa-obama-idUSBRE98F0ZG20130916) [2] C.J. Chivers and Rick Gladstone, Forensic Details in U.N. Report Point to Assads Use of Gas, New York Times, September 16, 2013 (https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/world/europe/syria-united-nations.html?_r=0) [3] Professor Ake Sellstrom, United Nations Mission to Investigate Allegations of the Use of Chemical Weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic: Report on the Alleged Use of Chemical Weapons in the Ghouta Area of Damascus on 21 August 2013, http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Secretary_General_Report_of_CW_Investigation.pdf (September 16, 2013) [4] Shaun Waterman, Syrian rebels used Sarin nerve gas, not Assads regime: U.N. official, Washington Times, May 6, 2013 (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/may/6/syrian-rebels-used-sarin-nerve-gas-not-assads-regi/) [5] Peter Apps, Syria government, rebels ramp up conventional weapons use, Reuters, August 23, 2013 (http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/23/us-syria-weapons-conventional-idUSBRE97M0FH20130823) [6] Middle East Media Research Institute, Syrian Rebels Developing Rocket, Missile Capabilities To Combat Aircraft, Tanks, And Ground Targets, http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/7299.htm (July 22, 2013) [7] Fox News, UN Secretary General calls evidence of chemical attack in Syria indisputable,http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/09/16/un-chemical-weapons-inspection-team-turns-over-report-on-syria-to-secretary/ (September 16, 2013) Devon DB is a 21 year old independent writer and researcher. He is the Politics/Government Department Chair of the Hampton Institute. He can be contacted at devondb[at]mail[dot]com. 