At least 161 chemical weapons attacks in Syria, report finds

A new report claims nearly 1500 people have died from chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

A UN watchdog says Syria has begun destroying its remaining chemical weapons production sites. (AAP) Source: AAP

A new report claims chemical weapons have been used at least 161 times and caused 1,491 deaths during Syria's five-year long civil war.

The Syrian American Medical Society report says such attacks are increasing, with a high of at least 69 attacks last year, and 14,581 people have been injured in all. 

Syria's government has been repeatedly accused by the United States and other Western countries of using chemical weapons on its own people, even after the Security Council in 2013 ordered the elimination of its chemical weapons program.

A new report claims nearly 1500 people have died from chemical weapons attacks in Syria. (AAP)

The report says 77 per cent of the chemical weapons attacks it documented occurred after the Security Council's order, and 36 per cent occurred after the council condemned the use of chlorine last year.

Syria's government denies using chemical weapons or toxic chemicals on its people.

Reports also have surfaced in recent months that the Islamic State group has used toxic chemicals in Syria.