Damascus: Eastern Ghouta Militants Plan to Stage Chemical Attack to Blame Syrian Gov’t

We received information that militants in Eastern Ghouta are going to stage a chemical attack [in] Hawsh al-Ashari, between the settlements of Mesraba and Beit Sawa,” Syrian Deputy-Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad stated, RIA Novosti reported.

“The terrorists of the Tahrir al-Sham group want to sacrifice several women for these purposes and spread false stories. This ‘show’ is expected to take place on March 11,” he added.

The official pointed out that the Syrian government was ready to assist in any investigation of chemical attacks in Syria but the international organizations refused to cooperate with Damascus and even visit the country to verify the data.

The report came hours after first militants with members of their families were evacuated from the rebel-held district.

Syrian authorities have been repeatedly accused of using chemical weapons against civilians in the conflict that began in 2011.

The White Helmets, a Syrian opposition civil defense group operating in militant-held areas, reported late January that three civilians had been killed and dozens more were wounded in a suspected chlorine gas attack on Eastern Ghouta.

The same day, US State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert accused Syrian authorities of staging this attack, which was vehemently rejected by Damascus.