Russian Reconciliation Center accuses armed factions of provocations in Syria’s Idlib

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Friday, the Russian Reconciliation Center in Syria accused Turkish-backed armed factions of provocative acts regarding the use of toxic substances in areas in Idlib, northwest Syria.  

Deputy Head of the Russian Center Rear Admiral Vadim Kolet said that the center was informed by local residents about preparations for provocations in Idlib by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) in coordination with the White Helmets.

Members of the White Helmets transferred about ten barrels of toxic substances to the city of Harem in the countryside of Idlib, according to sources from the Russian Center.

“Terrorists are preparing a false flag chemical attack south of Zawiya Mountain aiming at accusing the Syrian government of using chemical weapons against civilians,” the center added.   

On June 23, the Syrian government accused HTS of entering tankers loaded with prohibited crude chlorine through Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey, northwest Syria. 

Meanwhile, the Syrian government warned that HTS, in coordination with the White Helmets, may fill the shells with chlorine to use against civilians in the Idlib countryside and blame the government forces and their allies. 

Early in June, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons accused the Syrian government of using internationally prohibited chemical weapons at least 17 times during the war in Syria.

Despite the successive accusations, the government and its Russian ally frequently denied the use of chemical weapons during the war.