Reports that the Syrian regime may be about to deploy chemical weapons have raised concerns in the region that the civil war in the country may be entering an even bloodier stage.
Western intelligence agencies have received information that Syrian forces have begun carrying out the necessary steps to use chemical weapons in the field. These reports have led to public warnings by Western leaders, including Foreign Minister William Hague, of “serious consequences” if these weapons are used.
The fear of chemical weapons spurred Nato to approve, at a meeting of the Alliance’s foreign ministers on Tuesday, the deployment of Patriot surface-to-air missiles along Turkey’s south-eastern borders.
Turkey’s previously close relations with Syria have rapidly deteriorated and many of the weapons and volunteers reaching rebel fighters in Syria have arrived via the Turkish border. Despite this, Turkey has refrained from attacking Syria.
