Sarin gas ‘definitely’ used in attack on Syria’s Idlib: Turkish health minister 

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Laboratory results have shown that sarin gas was definitely used in an attack on Syria’s Idlib on April 4 that killed dozens, Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdağ said April 11.

“As a result of blood and urine samples taken from the victims subjected to the use of chemical war material in Idlib, Isopropyl methylphosphonic acid, the metabolite of sarin gas, was confirmed,” Akdağ said. 

The ministry had previously stated that the initial findings collected from the autopsies of three Syrians who died after being brought to Turkey for treatment suggested the use of sarin gas. The autopsy was attended by representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Around 30 victims were brought to Turkey for treatment following the attack. 

At least 86 civilians, including children, were killed on April 4 in the attack in the town of Khan Sheikhoun in southern Idlib. Syria’s government has denied responsibility for the attack.

On April 7, the United States retaliated by launching 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the Mediterranean Sea at the regime-controlled Shayrat Air Base from where jets allegedly took off to stage the Idlib attack.