Russia: Chemical attack in Syria staged by Britain
MOSCOW: The Russian defence ministry on Friday accused Britain of staging a fake chemical attack in the Syrian town of Douma last weekend, a bold charge that comes amid Moscow’s stern warnings to the West against striking Syria.
A day before a team from the international chemical weapons watchdog was to arrive in Douma, just east of Damascus, Russian defence ministry spokesman, Maj Gen Igor Konashenkov, said that images of victims of the purported attack were fakes staged with “Britain’s direct involvement”.
White Helmets first-responder volunteer and activists claimed an alleged chemical attack on April 7 by the Syrian government killed over 40 people in Douma, the allegations that drew international outrage and prompted Washington and its allies to consider a military response. Moscow warned against any strikes and threatened to retaliate.
Konashenkov released statements by medics from Douma’s hospital, who said a group of people toting video cameras entered the hospital, shouting that its patients were struck with chemical weapons, dousing them with water and causing panic. The medics, however, said none of the patients had any symptoms of chemical poisoning.
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God forbid anything adventurous will be done in Syria following the Libyan and Iraqi experience... Even nonsignificant incidents would lead to new waves of migrants to Europe and to other consequences. SERGEY LAVROV,
Russian foreign minister
Konashenkov said that “powerful pressure from London was exerted on representatives of the so-called White Helmets to quickly stage the premeditated provocation.” He said Russia has proof of British involvement, but didn’t immediately present it.
The accusations followed an earlier statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who said that “intelligence agencies of a state that is now striving to spearhead a Russo-phobic campaign were involved in that fabrication.” He didn’t elaborate or name the state.
Lavrov said Russian experts have already inspected the site of the alleged attack and found no trace of chemical weapons, adding without elaboration that Moscow has “irrefutable information that it was another fabrication.”