Putin: Russia knows about planned ‘provocations’ to blame Assad for Syrian chemical attacks

Mr Putin said Russia knows about planned “provocations” to put the blame for chemical attacks on the Syrian government.

“We have information that a similar provocation is being prepared ... in other parts of Syria including in the southern Damascus suburbs where they are planning to again plant some substance and accuse the Syrian authorities of using (chemical weapons),” Mr Putin said, without offering any proof.

Russia has defended Bashar Assad’s government which has been accused of launching a chemical weapons attack on the Idlib province.

However a senior US administration official accused Russia of embarking on a misinformation campaign designed to “confuse the world” about what Washington says is the Syrian regime’s use of sarin against its own people.

Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters, the official told AFP that Moscow was systematically trying to deflect blame away from the regime and onto rebels and Islamic State — against all evidence.

The official added that US intelligence does not believe that IS has sarin, the powerful chemical agent Washington is “confident” was used against the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhun.

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