RUSSIA: Syria chemical attack was staged

The chemical attack on Douma which took place on Saturday killing dozens of people, including many children and women was staged by foreign agents, so says Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Lavrov made the claim during a press briefing on Friday, when he said he had “irrefutable evidence” that the attack was staged as part of a “Russophobic campaign” led by one country, which he did not name.

Read also: US, Russia threaten missile face-off over gas attack in Syria

Reports say independent chemical weapons inspectors are expected to arrive in the area of the alleged attack on Saturday even as the US and France say they have proof that Russia was behind the chemical attack.

US defence chief James Mattis has urged caution in Washington, DC’s response against Syria, dialling back President Donald Trump’s rhetoric about possible military action following reports a chemical attack in the besieged town of Douma last week.

In a public hearing on Thursday, Mattis told members of Congress that the US is “not going to engage in the civil war itself”, and it remains committed to the UN-backed negotiations in Geneva to end the war in Syria.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now