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U.S. Examines Possible Chemical Weapons Use in Syria

The U.S. State Department said they have indications that a "toxic industrial chemical," likely chlorine, was used by the Syrian government.
A woman, affected by what activists say was a gas attack, breathes through an oxygen mask inside a field hospital in Kafr Zita, Syria on April 12, 2014. Syrian opposition activists have posted photographs and video that they say shows an improvised chlorine bomb to back up claims that President Bashar al-Assad's forces used chemical weapons in two attacks last week.
A woman, affected by what activists say was a gas attack, breathes through an oxygen mask inside a field hospital in Kafr Zita, Syria on April 12, 2014. Syrian opposition activists have posted photographs and video that they say shows an improvised chlorine bomb to back up claims that President Bashar al-Assad's forces used chemical weapons in two attacks last week. STRINGER / Reuters

WASHINGTON – The State Department said Monday they have "indications" that a "toxic industrial chemical," likely chlorine, was used by the Syrian government on rebel forces in Kafr Zita, Syria, during the last month.

"We're examining allegations that the government was responsible. We take all allegations of the use of chemicals in combat use very seriously,” State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said during a press briefing Monday.

“We're working to determine what has happened and we will continue consulting and sharing information with key partners, including at the OPCW," Psaki added, referring to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

The State Department called for an investigation and said they are working with partners on the ground to determine the facts.

Image: A woman breathes through an oxygen mask inside a field hospital in Kfar Zeita village in the central province of Hama
A woman, affected by what activists say was a gas attack, breathes through an oxygen mask inside a field hospital in Kfar Zita, Syria on April 12, 2014. Syrian opposition activists have posted photographs and video that they say shows an improvised chlorine bomb to back up claims that President Bashar al-Assad's forces used chemical weapons in two attacks last week. Rebels and the government have blamed each other for the alleged poison gas attacks on rebel-held Kfar Zita village, 125 miles north of Damascus.STRINGER / Reuters

White House spokesman Jay Carney also mentioned the possible use of chlorine by the Syrian government during the daily briefing Monday. Carney said the White House will determine what the response will be after it has studied the allegations further.

Chlorine is not included on the chemical weapons stockpile that the international community is working to destroy in Syria.

-Catherine Chomiak and Shawna Thomas