HMEIMIM. Feb 4 (Interfax) - Militants operating in the Idlib de-escalation area are plotting to use toxic substances, and Turkey could help thwart their plans, the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria said in a statement on Monday.
"The Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides has urged all parties involved in the provocation not to enact their criminal plans and has called on the Turkish side to put the utmost pressure on militants in the Turkish-controlled sector of the Idlib de-escalation area in order to prevent the incident from occurring," the statement said.
Two residents of Maaret al-Artik in the Idlib de-escalation area contacted the Russian Reconciliation Center via the hotline on the evening of February 3 and said that "members of the White Helmet organization supported by terrorists from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham [banned in Russia] are plotting a provocation involving the use of toxic substances," it said.
About 15 members of the White Helmets led by Mahi ad-Din al-Ama, who, according to the Russian military, is a Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighter, arrived in Maaret al-Artik on February 1, the statement said.
"This terrorist has experience of making videos of the fake 'chemical attack' in Khan Sheikhun on April 4, 2017," it said.
"There are plans to stage a new provocation in Maaret al-Artik with the participation of about 200 members of fighters' families, including children, who have been brought to the Idlib de-escalation area from southern provinces," the statement said.
"White Helmets members brought about 400 liters of a chemical solution from an underground storage facility to the filming site using two pickup trucks today. The videos will be posted on the White Helmet's websites and social media in order to be picked up by leading Western and Arabic media outlets," it said.