U.S. intelligence assessment of August 21 suspected chemical-weapons attack near Damascus cites

A U.S. intelligence assessment of last week’s suspected chemical-

weapons attack near Damascus cites intercepted communications that allegedly showed Syrian government officials making preparations to use chemical weapons three days before the attack and then launching efforts afterward to cover it up. While it did not present evidence showing complicity by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad or his inner circle, it asserts “with high confidence” that government forces were behind the attack.

U.S. Government Assessment of the Syrian Government’s Use of Chemical Weapons