The FFM obtained information regarding the incidents that took place in Marea on 1 and 3 September 2015 through several activities and from different sources. The FFM was able to conduct interviews with witnesses and obtained environmental samples in addition to digital evidence.
On 1 and 3 September 2015, the town of Marea was subject to shelling with both conventional munitions as well as projectiles filled with chemicals that fell in various locations and neighbourhoods in Marea. In some of the targeted locations, a black substance was observed, and in others, a yellow powder was observed. Individuals exposed to the substances developed blisters a few hours after exposure. Affected individuals displayed similar signs and symptoms in both incidents.
The report reached the conclusion that there are reasonable grounds to believe that on 1 September 2015 in Marea, a vesicant chemical substance from Schedule 1.A.04 of the Chemical Weapons Convention was used as a weapon.
Information obtained and analysed by the FFM on the incident that occurred on 3 September 2015 in Marea was not sufficient to allow the FFM to establish with reasonable grounds whether chemicals were or were not used as a weapon.