Russia rejects reports of chemical attack in Syria

Russia on Sunday pushed back against reports of a chemical attack in Syria, calling the news “bogus” and “fabricated.”

“The spread of bogus stories about the use of chlorine and other poisonous substances by (Syrian) government forces continues. Yet another such fabricated piece of information about an alleged chemical attack in Douma appeared yesterday,” the country’s foreign ministry said in a statement, as reported by Reuters.

{mosads}“We have warned several times recently against such dangerous provocations. The aim of such deceitful speculation, lacking any kind of grounding, is to shield terrorists … and to attempt to justify possible external uses of force.” 

The BBC reported Sunday that at least 70 individuals are dead after a potential chemical attack in the Syrian city of Douma.

Russia has been politically and militarily supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has been fighting a civil war against various opposition groups since 2011.

President Trump in a Sunday morning tweet blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin, who he said is backing the “animal Assad.” 

“Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria,” Trump said.

“Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad.”