US sanctions 18 in Syria over its chemical weapons use

A UN-backed investigation found that several units of the Syrian military had used toxic weapons against three villages in northern Syria in 2014 and 2015.
Government helicopters flying from two government-controlled air bases dropped chlorine barrel-bombs on the villages of Qmenas, Talmenes and Sarmin, the panel's latest report said.
Chlorine use as a weapon is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013 under pressure from Russia.
In response to its use, the US has targeted individuals including top intelligence officials and military commanders.
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