Russia: Syrian Army doesn't need chemical weapons and doesn't have them - Rudskoi

Head of Main Operational Department of General Staff at the Russian Ministry of Defence Sergei Rudskoi said that militants in Syria are suffering defeat after defeat and hence "it is not necessary for Assad's government to use chemical weapons" adding that the "Syrian Army doesn't have them" during a press briefing from Moscow, Tuesday.

Rudskoi also spoke about information received by Russia’s Ministry of Defense that shows "militants currently transport toxic substances around the areas of Khan Sheikhoun, Jira airport, Eastern Ghouta and to the west of the city of Aleppo," adding that "the purpose of these actions is to foster accusations that the Syrian government uses chemical weapons, and to encourage new US attacks."

Last week, the Al-Shayrat Airbase was the target of a US Tomahawk missile strike ordered by US President Donald Trump. Trump said the attack was a direct response to an alleged chemical weapons attack in Khan Sheikhoun near Idlib, for which he holds Syrian President Bashar al-Assad responsible.