This past Wednesday, the United Nations concluded an investigative report that found the Syrian government, as well as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, guilty of using chemical weapons against civilians in Aleppo, Syria.

According to the report, the Syrian government released chlorine gas against their citizens on April 21, 2014 and March 16, 2015. Furthermore, ISIL was also held responsible for chemical attacks as they were accused of using mustard gas against citizens in Syria on Aug. 21, 2015.

The civil war currently taking place in Syria is now approximately 5 years old, and since the beginning of the conflict there have been millions displaced, thousands killed and injured, and many controversies over the existing parties.

With efforts to remove ISIL presence inside Syria, the reports have brought to question how ISIL initially obtained these weapons. According to CNN, in the Obama Administration address of the reports there was much reflection on the targeted air strikes and capturing of ISIL chemical experts during March.

Although President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian government have been previously accused of chemical warfare, there has not been confident confirmation in the accusations until now. The release of these reports has sparked outrage across the nation and has caused major tracking in media.

Chemical warfare, however, is not a new concept to ISIL. Since a previously held attack in Iraq back in 2015 — around the same time as the Syrian attack — ISIL has used mustard gas against their victims.

Despite the common agreement on the international stage to leave chemical warfare with the remains of World War I, many victims have suffered from their opponent’s use of the weapons.  Due to the initial reactions, coupled with the significant long-term effects on both humanity and the environment, it has been long ruled out by the majority agreeing war parties.

For the Syrian government, their use of chemical warfare may bring about serious implications. It was to the understanding of many that al-Assad was giving up his chemical weapons stash back in 2013.

The U.S. and the Obama Administration have actively condemned their actions and have since been further pushing the UN for deeper understanding of the reports. According to CNN, Russian representative Vitaly Churkin has also decided that the reports will need to be “studied by experts” before moving forward.

As for now, Aleppo is currently experiencing a peak in violence. According to NBC News, the UN has requested that all parties inside Syria cease fire within the city to acquire humanitarian aid. Russia has agreed to these terms, and the remaining parties are still expected to respond.