Russian aircraft allegedly used in the Syrian province of Idlib prohibited by international conventions phosphorous bombs, according to Turkish news Agency Anadolu. The blows were inflicted on the town of Taftanaz in the North-East of Idlib, which is under the control of rebel forces. Representatives of civil defense, spoke about the death of two civilians. In the area of the explosions started fires that barely managed to put out. In social networks it is alleged that munitions were used and 30 August.
Resident Taftanaza ECU Ibrahim told Anadolu that the area was initially struck with cluster bombs, then used the incendiary weapon white phosphorous. The explosions lasted up to half an hour.
Human rights activists have previously argued that incendiary weapons were used videoconferencing at least 18 times in the period from June 5 through August 10 in opposition-controlled areas in the Syrian cities of Idlib and Aleppo. Affected about 12 local residents. These findings in Human Rights Watch came after watching videos and photographs allegedly made by the witnesses during the attacks.
The most famous case was the episode on 7 August. Residents of the Syrian city of Idlib said in social networks that Russian military aircraft on the evening of 7 August bombed one of the city’s districts, cluster and phosphorus bombs, banned by UN Convention. Activists posted on social networks photos and video of consequences of bombardment. According to them, at least 10 people were injured.
In the photo closeup was shown fragments of cluster bombs RBK-500 ZAB-2.5 SM. In 2015 and 2016 human rights organizations have accused the Russian military in the use of such weapons prohibited by international Convention. Russia these statements are denied.
Press Secretary of the President Dmitry Peskov denied information from the report. “Russia carries out its operation solely in strict compliance with the principles and norms of international law, including those parts of international law that regulate the use of and prohibitions on the use of certain types of weapons. In this, no one should doubt”, – quotes its “Interfax”.
Official representative of Russian defense Ministry major General Igor Konashenkov also said that the aircraft of the aerospace defence forces of Russia, which strikes at terrorists in Syria using cluster bombs.
Human rights activists pay special attention to the use of such bombs because of the way their actions. These munitions contain a lot of damaging elements. The area of damage bombs can be compared to a football field, and in the explosion the fragments fly in different directions, hitting not only combatants but also civilians. the Use of such techniques and human rights defenders equate to a war crime.
