Putin: Syrian Chemical Attack was a ‘False Flag’, More are Coming

The U.S. attack on the Syrian airbase in response to the poison gas attack has generated the expected hostile reaction from Russia. After all, Syria is Russia’s ally, and a place where Russia maintains a military port.

So we have the spectacle of President Putin claiming that the gas attack itself was a “false flag” attack, committed by some actor other than President Assad of Syria. Putin further claims that this was done with the intent of the placing the blame on the Syrian president as justification of the U.S. attack, and that the world should expect more such “false flag” attacks. Those are serious accusations. Is there anything to it?

With Rex Tillerson on his way to Russia, moments ago Russian president Vladimir Putin shocked reporters when he said that Russia has received intelligence from “trusted sources” that more attacks using chemical weapons are being prepared on the Damascus region, meant to pin the blame on the Assad government.

“We have reports from multiple sources that false flags like this one – and I cannot call it otherwise – are being prepared in other parts of Syria, including the southern suburbs of Damascus. They plan to plant some chemical there and accuse the Syrian government of an attack,” he said at a joint press conference with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Moscow.

Putin continues:

The Russian President announced that Russia will officially turn to the UN in the Hague for an investigation of the chemical weapons’ use in Idlib.  Moscow has dismissed suggestions that the Syrian government that it backs could be behind the attack in Idlib province.

“All incidents reminiscent of the ‘chemical attacks’ that took place in Idlib must be thoroughly investigated,” Putin said.

Given the importance of Syria to Russia, this really doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Neither does Syria’s denial.

Damascus denied the allegations, noting that the targeted area may have been hosting chemical weapons stockpiles belonging to Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) or Al-Nusra Front jihadists.

Clearly, Putin is attempting to claim that the U.S. orchestrated the chemical weapons attack as an excuse to eventually invade Syria, a claim that remains unproven.

As the Mirror points out, his “false flag” accusations remain just that at this point.

When asked whether he expected more US missile strikes on Syria, Putin said: “We have information that a similar provocation is being prepared … in other parts of Syria including in the southern Damascus suburbs where they are planning to again plant some substance and accuse the Syrian authorities of using (chemical weapons).”

He did not offer any proof for that claim however.

The “they” in Putin’s comments is the U.S.

Putin has every reason to play this angle for all the mileage he can get out of it. He clearly doesn’t want a nuclear war with the U.S., especially over Syria. Yet if Russia is to be seen as a trusted ally and a credible force, then Putin cannot just sit back and let the U.S. attack one of his allies without taking some sort of action, even if that is just bellicose and critical comments directed at the U.S.

The Middle East is just living up to its reputation as a land of intrigue.

Source: ZeroHedge

Source: The Mirror