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Turkey Suspected of Using White Phosphorus Against Kurdish Civilians in Syria
(The Times-UK) Anthony Loyd - A growing body of evidence suggests Turkey is using white phosphorus against Kurdish civilians in its offensive into northern Syria. Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a British chemical weapons expert, said, "In 24 hours I have been shown more photographs of these kinds of burns than at any recent stage in Syria's war. White phosphorus is a horrific weapon, which can be delivered by aircraft or artillery. It reacts to the moisture in the skin in a way that intensifies its burning, so that water cannot put it out." "Human rights organizations should be here to see what is happening and investigate the weapons being used on civilians," said Hassan Amin, director of the Tal Tamir hospital, which has received more than 550 wounded civilians, most from Ras al-Ain, since the Turkish offensive began last week. "Just 2% of those we treat have been shot. The rest are injured by airstrikes or artillery. Some burn patients are so badly injured as to be barely recognizable."