{"id":405222,"date":"2018-02-28T11:36:19","date_gmt":"2018-02-28T11:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=405222"},"modified":"2018-02-28T11:38:58","modified_gmt":"2018-02-28T11:38:58","slug":"north-korea-providing-materials-syria-chemical-weapons-factories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2018\/02\/north-korea-providing-materials-syria-chemical-weapons-factories\/","title":{"rendered":"North Korea ‘providing materials to Syria chemical weapons factories’"},"content":{"rendered":"
North Korea has been sending equipment to Syria that could be used to make chemical weapons, a UN report says.<\/p>\n
Some 40 previously unreported shipments were made between 2012 and 2017, the report found. Materials included acid-resistant tiles, valves and pipes.<\/p>\n
The report – yet to be released – said N Korean missile specialists had been seen at Syrian weapon-making centres.<\/p>\n
The allegations follow new reports of chlorine being used by Syrian forces, which the government denies.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, air strikes were heard in the Eastern Ghouta region outside Damascus as a second daily pause in fighting was due to get under way to allow in relief aid.<\/p>\n
Activists blame government air and artillery strikes, while Russia said rebels had shelled a “humanitarian corridor” meant to let civilians leave.<\/p>\n
What are the allegations against North Korea?<\/strong><\/p>\n North Korea is under international sanctions over its nuclear programme.<\/p>\n But a confidential report, compiled by a UN Panel of Experts which assesses North Korea’s compliance with UN resolutions, found evidence of illicit supplies sent to Syria.<\/p>\n Seen by the BBC, the report details the “innovative evasion techniques” used by North Korea to send items such high-heat, acid-resistant tiles, corrosion-resistant valves and thermometers.<\/p>\n The Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC) – a Syrian government agency – is alleged to have paid North Korea for the equipment via a number of front companies.<\/p>\n The SSRC is promoted by the Syrian government as a civilian research institute but\u00a0a Western intelligence agency told the BBC last year that chemical weapons were being manufactured at three SSRC sites\u00a0– Masyaf, in Hama province, and at Dummar and Barzeh, both just outside Damascus.<\/p>\n