Activists and hospital officials in the rebel-held Syrian town of Talbiseh, Homs, reported the use of toxic substances in regime attacks on October 31.

Early activist reports said “unidentified poisonous substances” were used.

A local activist medical group shared a statement described as from from Talbiseh hospital, in which it was claimed Assad forces had used CS gas, leading to three deaths and the suffocation of 40. The use of CS gas is prohibited in war under the Chemical Weapons Convention, though it is commonly used by domestic police forces. Both Syria and Russia are signatories of the convention.

Storyful is unable to independently the claims of CS gas use. Credit: YouTube/talbisa h