Source claims Ahrar al-Sham plots chemical weapons provocations in Aleppo

MOSCOW, October 5. /TASS/. Ahrar al-Sham armed group has plans to deliver strikes on the Syrian city of Aleppo with chemical weapons in the first half of October so as to accuse Russia and Syria of using prohibited arms, a source with the Russian competent bodies told TASS on Wednesday.

"The Ahrar al-Sham group is preparing a provocation with chemical weapons against civilians in Aleppo," he said. "According to available information, the militants possess nearly a tonne of white phosphorus stored in a guarded underground facility in the northern part of the town of Seraqib, 15 kilometers east of the city of Idlib at the crossroads of the Aleppo-Damascus and Aleppo-Latakia roads."

Six tankers with the toxic substance are stored at a depth of 12 meters, according to the source.

"Ammunition for Grad multiple rocket launchers equipped with the toxic substance is expected to be used for a strike on peaceful districts," he said. "Mahmoud Hussein Abdallah, a Syrian national, has been appointed as the perpetrator. He has undergone special training in Turkey and now is in a suburb of the town of Mardyh (Idlib region)."

"The provocation is scheduled for the first half of October. It will target the Aleppo districts and its suburbs, controlled by the Syrian opposition units. Thus, it has been plotted to create conditions for accusing Russia and the Syrian government of using the banned weapons against civilians," he said in conclusion.