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Chemical weapons

A chemical weapon is a specialized munition that can cause death, injury, temporary incapacitation or sensory irritation through its chemical action. They are classified as weapons of mass destruction.

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A Russian soldier in training

A Russian soldier in training

Russia and Ukraine both using outlawed weapons

The US has accused Russia of using chemical weapons in Ukraine. But these wouldn't be the only illegal weapon used.

A relative weaping over the boody of one of his family members killed during the chemical attack in Ghouta on 21 August 2013

A relative weaping over the boody of one of his family members killed during the chemical attack in Ghouta on 21 August 2013

Chemical attack in Syria 10 years on: 'We'll never forget'

A decade after the deadly chemical attack on civilians in Ghouta, nobody has been held accountable.

VX nerve agent M55 rockets being stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky

VX nerve agent M55 rockets being stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky

US destroys remaining chemical weapons stockpile

It comes 26 years after the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons was implemented.

In this July 15, 2018 photo, Syrian soldiers speak as they stand at a checkpoint in the town of Douma, in the eastern Ghouta region

In this July 15, 2018 photo, Syrian soldiers speak as they stand at a checkpoint in the town of Douma, in the eastern Ghouta region

OPCW blames Syrian troops for 2018 chemical attack

A top chemical weapons watchdog says Syrian forces were behind a deadly chlorine gas attack on a rebel enclave in Douma.

A man accused of violating the Foreign Trade and Payments Act and the War Weapons Control Act is led into court

A man accused of violating the Foreign Trade and Payments Act and the War Weapons Control Act is led into court

German on trial for supplying Russian weapons program

Trial of a German businessman accused of trying to "promote production of chemical weapons" begins in Dresden.

Ukraine Krieg Zerstörung in Mariupol

Ukraine Krieg Zerstörung in Mariupol

What Russia did in Syria may predict what happens in Ukraine

There are striking and useful parallels between Russian tactics in Syria and in Ukraine, a security expert says.

Forty veils of suspected Sarin gas - allegedly found in an house in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004

Forty veils of suspected Sarin gas - allegedly found in an house in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004

Nerve agent sarin: Invisible and indiscriminate

What makes sarin so deadly and what can you do against it?

US President Joe Biden at the G7 summit in Brussels

US President Joe Biden at the G7 summit in Brussels

Joe Biden says Russia should be removed from G-20

The US president says his Russian counterpart Putin was wrong to assume Western allies would be divided over Ukraine.

rime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden look on as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz gestures to Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida

rime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden look on as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz gestures to Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida

G-7: Russia must avoid biological, chemical, nuclear weapons

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says any false-flag operation by Russia to use chemical weapons would be a war crime.

Bodies buried in a mass grave in Syria

Bodies buried in a mass grave in Syria

Ukraine: Infowar of chemical and biological weapons

There's an infowar of accusations and denials about "dirty" weapons in Ukraine. What are these weapons and who has them?

Smoke rises after shelling in Mariupol, Ukraine

Smoke rises after shelling in Mariupol, Ukraine

Scholz demands cease-fire in call to Putin

Along with French President Emmanuel Macron, Scholz "demanded an immediate cease-fire from Russia."

A woman lies on a stretcher inside a hospital after what the Syrian state media said was a suspected toxic gas attack in Aleppo, Syria November 24, 2018.

A woman lies on a stretcher inside a hospital after what the Syrian state media said was a suspected toxic gas attack in Aleppo, Syria November 24, 2018.

Syria stripped of voting rights by chemical weapons watchdog

Syria has been stripped of its voting rights at the OPCW, after it repeatedly used chemical weapons in its civil war.

Patients in Idlib, Syria, 2017 treated with oxygen

Patients in Idlib, Syria, 2017 treated with oxygen

Syria accused of using chlorine bomb on civilians

A global chemical weapons watchdog has said the Syrian air force dropped a chlorine bomb on a rebel-held city in 2018.

Shadows of Syrians are reflected on a giant poster showing President Bashar Assad

Shadows of Syrians are reflected on a giant poster showing President Bashar Assad

How Germany could indict Syria's Assad for war crimes

DW and Der Spiegel gained exclusive access to witnesses and documents that form part of a landmark inquiry.

Berlin Charite Alexei Navalny Instagram Post

Berlin Charite Alexei Navalny Instagram Post

OPCW: Novichok found on Alexei Navalny samples

Germany said the world's chemical weapons agency findings proved that Navalny was poisoned with a nerve agent.

A Syrian forces Sukhoi Su-22 flies over the rebel-held besieged town of Arbin

A Syrian forces Sukhoi Su-22 flies over the rebel-held besieged town of Arbin

Syria's Assad forces accused of chemical weapons

The Russia-backed regime denied claims of deploying chemical weapons.

Postdam school evacuation

Postdam school evacuation

German schools evacuated after WWI chemical weapon find

Two Brandenburg schools had to be cleared after toxins were found on a nearby building site.

A man holds up a sign at a demonstration in Hamburg against Syrian chemical weapons attacks in Hamburg, Germany

A man holds up a sign at a demonstration in Hamburg against Syrian chemical weapons attacks in Hamburg, Germany

German firms sent weapons-grade chemicals to Syria

Despite EU sanctions, German companies were involved in exporting chemicals to Syria, a report has uncovered.

Damage caused by Syrian airstrikes in Idlib

Damage caused by Syrian airstrikes in Idlib

US warns Syria over suspected chemical weapons attack

Washington will "respond appropriately" to any chemical weapons use as a ceasefire in rebel-held Idlib risks unraveling.

Douma in April 2018

Douma in April 2018

OPCW confirms chemical attack in Syria

The OPCW fact-finders reported chemical weapons were used in the April 2018 attack on Douma, near Damascus.

Employees in protective gear prepare to dismantle a dummy grenade

Employees in protective gear prepare to dismantle a dummy grenade

EU hits Russians, Syria with sanctions over chemical weapons

The new EU sanctions target individuals in Syria and Russia with links to chemical weapons attacks.

A woman breathes through an oxygen mask

A woman breathes through an oxygen mask

Russia bombs militants after Aleppo gas attack

Russian warplanes have struck rebel targets thought to have been behind a toxic gas attack on Aleppo.

Deutschlan Berlin - Anti-Terror Übung mit Spezialanzug gegen Biochemische Waffen

Deutschlan Berlin - Anti-Terror Übung mit Spezialanzug gegen Biochemische Waffen

Inside Europe: New powers for chemical arms watchdog

A meeting of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) turned bitter this week as members argued over the global watchdog's new powers to investigate attacks and name the perpetrators. Teri Schultz takes a look at the huge controversy that unfolded in The Hague and what happens next.

Symbolbild EU-Erweiterung

Symbolbild EU-Erweiterung

Inside Europe 22.11.2018

The OPCW to name and shame those behind chemical weapons attacks - The growing rift between Italy and the EU – Italy's divisive debate on divorce - The Czech Republic's same-sex marriage debate – The AfD introduces a controversial online platform for kids - Former prime minister of Macedonia claims asylum in Hungary – Separating church and state in Greece - We try out Sweden's new McVegan burger.

West clashes with Russia over OPCW

The US and the UK have accused Russia of trying to stall the OPCW's new ability to attribute blame for chemical attacks.

Emergency workers wear protective suits while searching around a house in the British town of Salisbury

Emergency workers wear protective suits while searching around a house in the British town of Salisbury

EU paves way for Russia sanctions

A new legal framework could see restrictions placed on Russia over the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal.

A United Nations (UN) arms expert collects samples on August 29, 2013, as they inspect the site where rockets had fallen in Damascus' eastern Ghouta suburb during an investigation

A United Nations (UN) arms expert collects samples on August 29, 2013, as they inspect the site where rockets had fallen in Damascus' eastern Ghouta suburb during an investigation

'Credible deterrence needed' to prevent Syria gas attacks

Conflict over possibly sending German troops on a combat mission in Syria has broken out on the floor of the Bundestag.

'No' to a Bundeswehr combat mission in Syria

Nina Werkhäuser

German politicians are currently at odds over whether the country's military should increase its presence in Syria.

Iran Revolutionsgarden

Iran Revolutionsgarden

What is Iran's role in Syria if Assad wins the war?

As the Syrian war appears to enter a decisive phase, Iran, Russia and Turkey seek to maintain influence in the region.

Syrian army

Syrian army

UN warns of catastrophe in Syria's Idlib

An anticipated Syrian government offensive in Idlib is set to unleash a major humanitarian disaster.

Chemical weapons attack in Douma

Chemical weapons attack in Douma

Syria chemical attack warning dubious, experts say

Russia is warning of a staged gas attack by rebels in northwestern Syria, but experts are calling the Kremlin's bluff.

One child coughs while another puts an oxygen mask over his face following an alleged chemical weapons attack by Syrian forces in April.

One child coughs while another puts an oxygen mask over his face following an alleged chemical weapons attack by Syrian forces in April.

Russia claims Syrian rebels plan chemical attack

The Kremlin has claimed that rebels are planning a chemical weapons attack with the intent of blaming it on the Syria.

An execution room in Japan

An execution room in Japan

Japan executes remaining Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult members

The cult's sarin gas attack in Tokyo's subway system killed 13 people, injured some 6,000 others and shocked Japan.

Police outside Cologne apartment where ricin was found

Police outside Cologne apartment where ricin was found

Ricin plotters bought hamster to test weapon

German prosecutors have arrested the wife of a Tunisian man detained last month over a biological attack plot.

In this Sept. 25, 1995, file photo, Japanese doomsday cult leader Shoko Asahara, center, sits in a police van following an interrogation in Tokyo.

In this Sept. 25, 1995, file photo, Japanese doomsday cult leader Shoko Asahara, center, sits in a police van following an interrogation in Tokyo.

Japan executes doomsday cult members

Shoko Asahara, the leader of the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult, has been executed along with his followers.

A mortar shell in Ghouta

A mortar shell in Ghouta

OPCW can now assign blame for chemical attacks

Moscow accused the UK of dragging the OPCW "in their games" against Russia.

Soldiers wearing protective clothing

Soldiers wearing protective clothing

Britain and Russia clash over chemical weapons

The UK has called for a vote to give the OPCW chemical weapons watchdog powers to identify those behind attacks.

Schweiz UN-Hauptquartier | Syrischer Botschafter Houssam-Eddin Ala

Schweiz UN-Hauptquartier | Syrischer Botschafter Houssam-Eddin Ala

US protests Syria's lead of UN disarmament body

Opponents rejected Syria's presidency, as the Assad government has been accused of using chemical weapons on civilians.

People receive treatment at a hospital after alleged chlorine gas attack by Assad regime forces to Saraqib district of Idlib, Syria

People receive treatment at a hospital after alleged chlorine gas attack by Assad regime forces to Saraqib district of Idlib, Syria

OPCW confirms Syria chlorine gas attack

The global chemical weapons watchdog says there is a high probability that chlorine gas was used in an attack in Syria.

Syrian President Bashar Assad during an exclusive interview with Greek newspaper Kathimerini

Syrian President Bashar Assad during an exclusive interview with Greek newspaper Kathimerini

Syria's Bashar Assad talks 'world war'

Syria's president believes his country is caught up in a much larger conflict than its own civil war.

Men in gas masks

Men in gas masks

Revealed: Cold War Germany's secret chemical weapons plans

During the 1960s, West Germany planned the procurement and deployment of chemical weapons, documents reveal.

Scene in Douma

Scene in Douma

OPCW takes samples from alleged attack site in Douma

The global chemical weapons watchdog has taken samples from the site of a suspected chemical attack in Douma.

Syria - US airstrikes against Damascus

Syria - US airstrikes against Damascus

German parliamentary report condemns Syrian airstrikes

Germany supported the airstrikes by the US, UK and France in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack.

Britain's ambassador to the Netherlands Peter Wilson speaks after a press conference in The Hague

Britain's ambassador to the Netherlands Peter Wilson speaks after a press conference in The Hague

UK takes Russia to task on Skripal, Douma

The UK's OPCW representative said Russia "attacked the reputation and expertise" of the OPCW chemical weapons watchdog.

Syrien Mutmaßlicher Giftgasangriff in Duma

Syrien Mutmaßlicher Giftgasangriff in Duma

Proof of poison gas: Circumstantial evidence is key

It is possible to prove the use of poison gas, even if traces in the environment have disappeared.

People stand in front of desroyed buildings in the Syrian city of Douma

People stand in front of desroyed buildings in the Syrian city of Douma

What could the OPCW still find in Syria?

DW spoke with a toxicology expert about what inspectors will be looking for — and what chemicals may have been at play.

Bombed-out buildings in Douma

Bombed-out buildings in Douma

Chemical inspectors yet to visit Syria's Douma

Syria's state news agency had said experts from the OPCW had already entered the site of an alleged chemical attack.

Deutschland Xi Jinpings Besuch | Angela Merkel

Deutschland Xi Jinpings Besuch | Angela Merkel

Merkel plans Putin meetup amid Syria crisis

The German chancellor has partially blamed Russia for a suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria.

A car drives through the entrance barrier at the OPCW

A car drives through the entrance barrier at the OPCW

US, UK accuse Russia of interfering in OPCW Douma probe

At an emergency meeting of the chemical weapons watchdog, Moscow rejected charges it was obstructing an investigation.

Arab League leaders

Arab League leaders

Arab League calls for Syria investigation

The Arab League has demanded an international probe into a chemical weapons attack "against the sisterly Syrian people."