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Conflict in Syria

IS preparing chemical weapons attack in Syria, warns Russian Defense Ministry

The Russian Defense Ministry says militants from the IS are making preparations for a chemical attack on Kurdish units

MOSCOW, November 28. /TASS/. Militants from the Islamic State terror group (outlawed in Russia) are making preparations for a chemical attack on Kurdish units to provoke a US air strike on Syrian troops, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

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OPCW split: Experts comment on plan to allow identifying chemical attacks perpetrators

According to the ministry, 11 terrorists trained abroad earlier arrived in Syria and are currently filling mines with chemical substances. "The chemical munitions are planned to be used in an attack on the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, which have been fighting against terrorists in the Hajin area of the Deir ez-Zor province," the ministry said.

"ISIL [the former name of the Islamic State group - TASS] militants plan to carry out the attack on the Syrian Democratic Forces from the direction of the nearest positions occupied by pro-governments units, in order to provoke a massive US air strike on them," the statement adds.

The Russian Defense Ministry also said that the Command of the Russian troops in Syria had ordered the monitoring of the situation in the province.

"For the timely detection of a chemical poisoning risk for civilians, a mobile radiation, chemical and biological protection complex will be sent to the Deir ez-Zor province, as well as Russian experts," the ministry added.

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Syrian conflict

Military drills

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