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S/2016/738 72/98 16-14788 32. The remnants seen in this and other pictures look like the remnants seen in Sarmin (canisters and the outer jacket), from the incident that occurred at the same day. Delivery method 33. Witnesses stated that they heard helicopters and the sound of an explosion which they described as “muted” in comparison with other air-strike impacts. Shortly after, they stated to have received a chemical weapon alert through hand-held radios and the loudspeakers of the minarets of the mosques. 34. A witness described an intercepted radio communication of two helicopter pilots, allegedly using the call sign “Bravo”. According to this testimony, a helicopter took off from Latakia airport around 2100 hours. A few moments after the pilot had informed having “entered the working area”; residents reported the impact of a barrel bomb. This occurred around 2130 hours. From Latakia airbase to Qmenas, a helicopter would take 30 to 33 minutes. 35. After reviewing the type of helicopters that are within the SAAF fleet and the distance from Latakia airport to Qmenas, the witness’ assessment on the time needed to reach Qmenas from Latakia is considered correct. 36. The Mechanism gathered information that a helicopter departed the Bassel al-Assad Airport in Latakia at 2030 hours and passed over Qmenas at 2105 hours, returning to the base at 2130 hours. 37. The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic stated that there was no flight activity at that day in that area, but did not provide any supporting documentations, such as flight records. The Government did not respond to questions regarding the call signs used. Location #1 38. A defence institute studied the images of the remnants and stated that the outer barrel “has the hallmarks of being dropped from an aircraft. The stabilizing fins are clearly visible as well as a mount for attaching the device to the aircraft. This [barrel bomb] has probably been carried underneath the wings or hull of an aircraft (fixed-wing or helicopter). It is doubtful it was carried by a rocket”. 39. A ballistic expert and a defence institute studied the crater formed at location #1 with regard to determining the delivery method. The crater on the pictures can be observed on satellite imagery dated after 16 March 2015 at the determined location. 40. The ballistics expert concluded that “a bomb, dropped from a helicopter at high altitude, and hitting the ground somewhat obliquely, would be quite likely to create an impact mark looking similar to the one shown in” the crater of location #1. The expert noted that the crater had changed between the moment of impact and when the picture was taken: “On the image it appears that a heavy lorry may have driven across the mark after it was made. It could also be possible that some material was filled back into the hole before the photo was taken, if it had been somewhat deeper, to permit traffic to pass unobstructed.