Using chemical weapons is a major crime against humanity, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin by phone on Thursday.

According to the presidential sources, an independent investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on the recent chemical attack by the regime forces on Khan Sheikhun has been endorsed by both leaders during the phone conversation in which Erdogan ad Putin discussed the recent developments in Syria.

The leaders emphasized the importance of cooperation between Turkey and Russia for the continuity of Geneva and Astana talks as well as joint efforts to assure ceasefire in Syria.

The Turkish and Russian presidents also discussed improving economic and political ties as well as speeding the pace of the normalization of bilateral relations.

More than 100 civilians were killed and 500 others, mostly children, have been affected by the chlorine gas attack carried out by regime warplanes in Khan Shaykun town in Idlib, the Syrian interim government's health minister, Firas Jundi, said earlier.

Last year, a UN-appointed investigation panel found chemical weapons had been used by regime forces and opposition fighters in 2014 and 2015. However, no actionable steps were taken.

Chlorine gas in warfare is outlawed by international treaties. High-level exposure can cause suffocation, with children and seniors being particularly vulnerable.

Since civil war in Syria erupted in March 2011, more than 250,000 people have been killed, according to the UN. The Syrian Center for Policy Research puts the death toll at more than 470,000.

/Daily Sabah/

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