U.S. Government Assessment of the Syrian Government’sUse of Chemical Weapons on August 21, 2013
The United States Government assesses with high confidence that the Syrian government carried out achemical weapons attack in the Damascus suburbs on August 21, 2013. We further assess that theregime used a nerve agent in the attack. These all-source assessments are based on human, signals, andgeospatial intelligence as well as a significant body of open source reporting. Our classified assessmentshave been shared with the U.S. Congress and key international partners. To protect sources andmethods, we cannot publicly release all available intelligence – but what follows is an unclassifiedsummary of the U.S. Intelligence Community’s analysis of what took place.
Syrian Government Use of Chemical Weapons on August 21
A large body of independent sources indicates that a chemical weapons attack took place in theDamascus suburbs on August 21. In addition to U.S. intelligence information, there are accounts frominternational and Syrian medical personnel; videos; witness accounts; thousands of social media reportsfrom at least 12 different locations in the Damascus area; journalist accounts; and reports from highlycredible nongovernmental organizations.A preliminary U.S. government assessment determined that 1,429 people were killed in the chemicalweapons attack, including at least 426 children, though this assessment will certainly evolve as we obtainmore information.We assess with high confidence that the Syrian government carried out the chemical weapons attack against opposition elements in the Damascus suburbs on August 21. We assess that the scenario inwhich the opposition executed the attack on August 21 is highly unlikely. The body of information usedto make this assessment includes intelligence pertaining to the regime’s preparations for this attack andits means of delivery, multiple streams of intelligence about the attack itself and its effect, our post-attack observations, and the differences between the capabilities of the regime and the opposition. Our highconfidence assessment is the strongest position that the U.S. Intelligence Community can take short of confirmation. We will continue to seek additional information to close gaps in our understanding of whattook place.
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