Leaders warn of threat to stability as US, Britain and France mull air strikes in Syria

RUSSIA has claimed the pictures of the sickening chemical attack were “staged and filmed” in an outlandish conspiracy. WARNING: Graphic.

WARNING: Graphic images.

A RUSSIAN general has made shock claims that the alleged chemical attack on the Syrian town of Douma was “staged and filmed” by the Syrian White Helmets in an attempt to discredit the group and deflect blame from government forces.

First Deputy Chief of the Russian General Staff’s operations department Lieutenant General Viktor Poznikhir said the alleged attack was orchestrated by the Syrian White Helmets and other humanitarian groups who he claimed have tried to “organise provocations involving the alleged use of toxic chemicals,” according to comments reported in Russian media agency TASS.

It echoes the line from Russian foreign ministry that “false information” is being spread in an attempt to deflect the use of chemical weapons in Syria as “fake news”.

The Syrian White Helmets, also known as Syria Civil Defence, is a humanitarian network of volunteers that has been subject to a Russian-led disinformation campaign in an attempt to discredit its work.

The World Health Organisation said up to 500 people presented at local medical facilities with symptoms of a chemical attack over the weekend. Harrowing video and pictures provided by groups on the ground showed adults and children rinsing their face and eyes with water in an attempt to wash chemicals away.

Inspectors from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have been deployed to inspect the Douma site where at least 70 people died.

Syria has denied any responsibility and western powers are working to confirm the identity of those behind it before committing to military action.

However on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron said he had “proof” Syria’s government was behind the attack. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the use of chemical weapons is “simply inexcusable.”

“Some things are simply inexcusable, beyond the pale and in the worst interest of not just the chemical weapons convention but of civilisation itself,” he said.

Video from the Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets, shows medical workers treating toddlers following an alleged poison gas attack in the opposition-held town of Douma, in eastern Ghouta, near Damascus, Syria. Picture: Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP, File.

An image from the Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets showing a rescue worker carrying a child caught up in an alleged chemical weapons attack. Picture: Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP, File.

‘ONE SPARK MAY SET REGION ON FIRE’

It comes as Turkish leaders expressed fear a standoff between Russia and the US could threaten regional stability in the Middle East.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would discuss with Russian President Putin how to end the “chemical massacre” in Syria after also speaking with President Trump. He said he was “deeply disturbed by some countries that rely on their military might, turning Syria into a virtual wrestling ground.”

Meanwhile, Turkish National Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli said he fears “serious clashes” may start as the US, Britain and France mull whether to launch air strikes against Syrian government forces.

“Just one spark may set the entire region on fire and open the door for the conflict. So, we are calling on the parties [Russia and the US] to act with restraint and on the regime [of Bashar Assad] to stop supporting terrorist organisations,” Canikli said, also in comments on Russian media.

Trump has not yet committd to air strikes in Syria despite tweets saying they “will be coming”. Picture: TheMegaAgency

A sailor inspects atop an FA-18 hornet fighter jet during a routine training aboard US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt in the South China sea which is transiting after participating in operations in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Picture: AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBE

The Kremlin has confirmed a military hotline between the US and Russia “remained active” but called to avoid fuelling tensions.

President Trump appeared to back-pedal from previous warnings that US missiles “will be coming”, saying he “never said when an attack on Syria would take place.”

“Could be very soon or not so soon at all! In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS. Where is our “Thank you America?” The President tweeted.

One day earlier, Trump had surprised officials by threatening: “Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!”

Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all! In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS. Where is our “Thank you America?”

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2018

Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018

In the UK, Prime Minister Theresa May recalled her cabinet from holiday to decide on whether to launch strikes without parliamentary approval. She has previously indicated she wants Britain to join US-led action against the attack in Douma if the Syrian government is confirmed to be behind it. France is also considering military intervention.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based war monitor, said pro-Syrian government forces were emptying main airports and military air bases in preparation. Meanwhile US Rear Admiral Eugene Black said his crew were “ready for any mission, anytime, anywhere.”

A Syrian boy sits at a camp for displaced Syrians after buses carrying Jaish al-Islam fighters and their families from their former rebel bastion of Douma arrived at the camp in al-Bal, east of the rebel-held town of Azaz in northern Syria. Picture: AFP PHOTO / Nazeer al-Khatib.

‘HIGH PURITY’ NERVE AGENT

It comes as the OPCW confirmed Britain’s findings that former Russia spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with a “high purity” nerve agent. It did not name the substance or confirm the source.

The UK claims that only a sophisticated laboratory belonging to a state “highly likely” to have been Russia is behind the attack. It has also called for a UN Security Council meeting on the findings.

The Russian Embassy in the UK also suggested that Yulia Skripal was being held against her will after being discharged from hospital and whisked to a safe house. Ms Skripal has refused the offer of assistance from Russia so far, saying she is still suffering from the nerve agent and trying to come to terms with the attack.

“I am safe and feeling better as time goes by, but I am not yet strong enough to give a full interview to the media, as I one day hope to do,” she said in a statement.

“Until that time, I want to stress that no one speaks for me, or for my father, but ourselves. I thank my cousin Viktoria for her concern for us, but ask that she does not visit me or try to contact me for the time being. Her opinions and assertions are not mine and they are not my father’s.”

Russia has said it will not engage in Twitter diplomacy with the US President. Picture: Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP.