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(ANTIWAR.COM) — Following up on concerns expressed over the weekend that a “false flag” attack might be used as a pretext for a US attack on Syria, Russian Defense Ministry officials say they are deeply concerned by signs of a US military buildup around the area, seemingly setting up for just such an attack.
Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov noted that the USS Ross, a guided-missile destroyer, has arrived in the Mediterranean just two days ago. The ship is armed with 28 Tomahawk cruise missiles, exactly what the US used in their last two attacks on Syria.
US officials brushed off Russian reports as “propaganda,” but also said that the they are preparing “should the president direct such an action.” They added that they are “on alert” for any potential chemical weapons attacks, despite conceding they haven’t seen any evidence of chemical arms being moved near the rebel-held north.
Which goes back to the previous reports of a false flag attack, which had British special forces moving chlorine tanks into rebel-held areas, to be released to stage a chlorine gas attack, which would provide the US a pretext to attack Syrian military targets.
In the meantime, US officials are saying that the Trump Administration is looking to negotiate some sort of deal with Russia ahead of the anti-rebel push, seeking “concessions” and pushing Russia on humanitarian concerns for the Idlib Province, currently dominated by rebels.
By Jason Ditz / Republished with permission / ANTIWAR.COM / Report a typo