Activists Report Cluster Missiles Hit Ghab Plain in West Hama

Syrian media activists reported heavy clashes in west Hama province on April 18, and said cluster bombs were used in towns. In this video, the activist said that al-Qahira town and other neighboring towns in Ghab Plain were targeted with “cluster” missiles from a “Russian warship”.

Local reports said that Assad forces targeted the town with cluster missiles.

The official Syrian News Agency, SANA, said that “terrorists” from Jaish Al-Fateh were killed and their vehicles were destroyed on the outskirts of Al-Ghab Plain in clashes with the Syrian army in the northwestern countryside of Hama province.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on heavy fighting between the Syrian Army and Islamic opposition factions in the same area.

Activists and opposition groups in Syria have repeatedly reported the use of cluster munitions by Syrian and Russian forces. The RBK-500 SPBE cluster bomb is banned by the Convention on Cluster Munitions, according to a report by Human Rights Watch. Neither Russia nor Syria are party to the convention, and Storyful cannot confirm their use.

Note: Russia and Syria have both been accused of using white phosphorous weapons during the Syrian war. However, white phosphorus generally leaves white smoke behind. The yellowish clouds seen in this video called “phosphoria” by the reporter more closely resemble chlorine gas weapons. Storyful cannot confirm the use of such weapons Credit: YouTube/Smart News Agency