Syria: Military Intervention

(asked on 28th October 2019) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has taken steps to verify reports that white phosphorus used in attacks in north-east Syria originated from white phosphorus sales from the UK to Turkey; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of stopping white phosphorus sales under existing licences to that country.


Answered by
Andrew Murrison Portrait
Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
This question was answered on 5th November 2019

​The allegations that white phosphorus has intentionally been used against civilians are extremely worrying and it is important that the full facts are established. The UK wants to see a swift, and thorough, investigation by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria into these allegations. White phosphorus is not classified as a chemical weapon and is in itself is not subject to export controls, but it must be used in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. The Government is considering the licensing position in the light of recent developments in Syria and no further export licences for Turkey of items that might be used in military operations in Syria will be granted while we do so.

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