Khan Shaykhun chemical attack facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 2017 Khan Shaykhun chemical attack |
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| Part of the Syrian Civil War | |
 Khan Shaykhun
Location in Syria
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| Type | Airstrike, sarin attack |
| Location | Khan Shaykhun, Idlib Governorate, Syria 35°26′20″N 36°39′4″E / 35.43889°N 36.65111°E |
| Date | 4 April 2017 06:30 EEST (UTC+03:00) |
| Executed by |  Syrian Arab Air Force |
| Outcome | US launches retaliatory missile strike |
| Casualties | 89–100+ killed 300–541 injured |
The Khan Shaykhun chemical attack happened on April 4, 2017, in the town of Khan Shaykhun, Syria. This town was hit by an airstrike, which is an attack from the air. After the airstrike, many civilians suffered from chemical poisoning.
A harmful gas, which included a substance called sarin, was released. This gas killed at least 89 people and injured more than 541 others. This attack was the most serious use of chemical weapons in the Syrian civil war since a similar event in 2013.
Contents
What Happened in Khan Shaykhun?
On April 4, 2017, the town of Khan Shaykhun in Syria was attacked. Reports said that government forces carried out an airstrike. After this, a very dangerous chemical gas was released.
The gas was identified as sarin or a similar substance. Sarin is a powerful nerve agent that can cause severe harm or death. Many people in the town were affected by this toxic gas.
Who Was Responsible for the Attack?
An international group called the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) looked into the attack. This group is made up of experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations. They found that the Syrian government was responsible for the attack.
The JIM found specific chemicals in the sarin used. These chemicals matched those known to be in the Syrian government's chemical supplies. This evidence strongly suggested where the sarin came from.
What Did Other Countries Say?
Many countries and groups believed the Syrian government was responsible. These included the United States, United Kingdom, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, France, and Israel. Human Rights Watch, a group that protects human rights, also blamed the Syrian government.
However, the Syrian government said the attack was not real. They called it a "fabrication." The Russian government also said the event was staged, meaning they believed it was faked.
How Did the World React?
The chemical attack caused a strong reaction around the world. Many leaders and organizations condemned the use of chemical weapons. Using such weapons is against international laws.
United States Response
On April 7, 2017, the United States responded to the attack. They launched 59 cruise missiles at Shayrat Air Base in Syria. U.S. intelligence stated that this air base was where the chemical attack was launched from.
This missile strike was a direct response to the chemical attack. It showed how seriously the United States viewed the use of chemical weapons.
Images for kids
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Map showing frontlines at the time of the attack, with the location of the strike marked by the hatched circle
