The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on Saturday per state-run TASS:

A provocation with an alleged chemical weapons use in Syria, which terrorists are plotting to stage with the assistance of UK special services, will serve as a pretext for missile strikes by the West and the United States against the Arab country, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on Saturday.

According to the Russian general, the provocation will be staged by terrorists of the Hayat Tahrir ash-Sham terrorist organization (formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra outlawed in Russia) and for this purpose eight containers with chlorine have been brought to the Idlib province.

The mention of UK special forces and “eight containers” of chlorine suggest that Russia is claiming to possess some level of specified intelligence.

The Russian MoD spokesman added, “Therefore, the actions by Western countries contrary to public statements are aimed at another dramatic escalation of the situation in the Middle East and at disrupting the peace process on the territory of Syria.”

The statements were in response to Bolton’s prior press conference on Wednesday from Jerusalem, where he was meeting with Israeli officials. “We now see plans for the Syrian regime to resume offensive military activities in Idlib province,” Bolton said. “We are obviously concerned about the possibility that Assad may use chemical weapons again.”

Bolton warned, “Just so there’s no confusion here, if the Syrian regime uses chemical weapons we will respond very strongly and they really ought to think about this a long time.” 

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