The Syrian Ministry of Interior stated that three former Syrian pilots have admitted they received direct orders from President Bashar al-Assad to carry out airstrikes.
According to their statements, the pilots said they carried out indiscriminate airstrikes on civilian areas out of fear of Assad.
They also reported that, on one occasion, they were supplied with large bombs without being informed of their contents. After the attack, media reports cited the use of chemical agents and stated that more than 1,400 people were killed, including women and children.