Gas attack: Russia defends Syria

UK, France and the US accuse the Assad regime for the tragedy, but Russia says air strike hit warehouse storing “toxic substances”

Russia stood by its ally Damascus on Wednesday ahead of a UN Security Council meeting to address accusations the Syrian government launched a chemical weapons attack that killed scores.

At least 72 people, among them 20 children, were killed in Tuesday’s attack in rebel-held Khan Sheikhun, and dozens more were left gasping for air, convulsing and foaming at the mouth.

Moscow said the deaths were caused when a Syrian air strike hit a “terrorist warehouse” used for making bombs containing “toxic substances”.

It also said it would continue its military campaign in support of government forces.

Syria’s army has denied any use of chemical weapons, saying it “has never used them, any time, anywhere, and will not do so in the future.”

But its denials have done little to quiet international condemnation, with UN chief Antonio Guterres saying the “horrific events” showed that “war crimes are going on in Syria”.

Britain, France and the US have circulated a draft Security Council resolution demanding a swift investigation, after pointing the finger at President Bashar al-Assad’s government for the attack.

TRUMP BLAMES ASSAD, OBAMA FOR ATTACK

As outrage grew over the horrific gas attack in Syria, the Trump administration appeared reluctant to respond initially and when it finally did, it blamed both President Bashar al-Assad and former US president Barack Obama.

Calling the chemical attack “reprehensible”, Trump said these “heinous actions” by the Assad regime “are a consequence of the past administration’s weakness and irresolution.”