DAMASCUS - Syrian opposition activists and state-run media have traded accusations on Tuesday about possible,  recent chemical attacks in northern Syria.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a shelling by barrel bombs filled with chlorine gas hit the town of Saraqeb in the northwestern province of Idlib on Monday evening, causing suffocation and breathing difficulties to 20 people.
The UK-based watchdog group said the type of gas was difficult to be identified, saying it has based its report on local testimonies.
The Syrian National Coalition opposition group cited activists as saying that it was the government forces who bombed the town of Saraqeb with chlorine-filled barrel bombs, placing the number of those affected at 30.
It urged the UN to take action, and said the alleged chemical attack took place in an area close to where a Russian helicopter was downed a day earlier.
On Monday, the rebels in Idlib countryside downed a Russian helicopter, with reports saying that all five crew members were killed.
Meanwhile, state-run SANA news agency blamed the rebels for firing a rocket containing poisonous gas on the government-controlled part of the northern city of Aleppo over the past 24 hours, killing five people, and eight others suffered suffocation. (Xinhua)