HMEIMIM (Syria). Nov 30 (Interfax) - The Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria has learned about preparations of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (aka Jabhat al-Nusra banned in Russia) to stage another chemical-arms provocation.
"Sixty barrels of an unknown highly toxic chemical have been taken by militants to the demilitarized zone from Jisr al-Shughur, Kafer-Zayta and Saraqib. The militants were accompanied by Arabic-speaking chemical experts from a European country," Russian Center for Reconciliation head Lt. Gen. Sergei Solomatin said at a press briefing on Thursday.
According to Solomatin, the provocation will target the town of Mahardeh, which is situated in the Hama province and is mostly populated by Christians, and a humanitarian passage near Abu-al-Duhur in the Idlib province.
Illegal armed groups continue to breach the truce in the Idlib de-escalation area, he said.
"Attacks on Akch-Bayer, Sandran, and Ikko (two times) and Basharfa in the Latakia province (five times), the northwest outskirts (three times) and the western outskirts of Aleppo, and Abu-Dali in Hama province have been seen over the day," Solomatin said.