Russia released a statement on Wednesday that the Syrian government presented them with evidence of Syrian rebel’s affiliation with the Damascus chemical weapons attack.
Since the Syrian chemical weapons attack, Russia has been hesitant to blame President Bashar Al-Assad’s government, arguing there is insufficient proof to make a case for government culpability. Now Russia claims they have evidence that it was the opposition who used chemical weapons, most likely to attract international intervention in the Syrian civil war.
Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, stated, “We have plenty of reports on chemical weapons use, which indicate that the opposition regularly resorts to provocations in order to trigger strikes and intervention against Syria.”
He continued, “There’s also plenty of data on the incidents that occurred in August in Ghouta, near Damascus,” adding there is reason to believe the chemical weapons were home-made, Russia Today reported.
France has already dismissed Russia’s claims.
The French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, claimed that “when you look at the amount of sarin gas used, the [means of delivery], the techniques behind such an attack, as well as other aspects, it seems to leave no doubt that the [Assad] regime is behind it,” quotes The Independent .
The United States and Russia are currently confronting problems drafting a resolution on the seizing of Syria’s chemical weapons. Russia adamantly opposes a U.S. resort to military force if Syria does not meet the standards set by the resolution.
The U.S., France and Britain will meet later this week to outline a “use-of-force” clause.