Alwaght- A High-ranking Russian legislator has warned the US against any "illegal action" in Syria following the recent alleged chemical attack on the terrorist-held town of Douma.
Russia will take all political, diplomatic and military retaliatory measures should the US deliver a strike on Syria, Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) Defense Committee Chairman and former Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Airborne Troops Vladimir Shamanov said on Tuesday.
"The politics of double standards have hit rock bottom. And here the United Russia party conscientiously states that all political, diplomatic and military measures if necessary will be taken. No illegal action will remain unanswered," Shamanov vowed at a plenary meeting of the State Duma.
The senior MP was indignant over US President Donald Trump’s statement about Washington’s response within 48 hours, saying: "They should not pin their hopes on their naval task forces and their deceptions. We are a sovereign country and we have allies and guarantors for those events taking place in Syria. We won’t let the Americans hammer nails on someone else’s anvil."
Shamanov stressed that Russia's possible measures need to be considered and responsible. He also emphasized that the report on the alleged chemical attack in Syria’s Douma is absolute provocation.
"Today military chemists have confirmed in the presence of members of Syria’s administration that no traces were found in the hospital where these fakes were made, and no victims have been confirmed and discovered," he noted.
The lawmaker said the number of countries taking part in the Syrian conflict has increased. "In total violation of international rules, a couple of Israeli jets entered Lebanese airspace, delivered a strike on a neighboring sovereign country…directly on an airfield of the Syrian army. So, the number of countries involved in the conflict is rising."
The alleged chemical weapons attack hit the town of Douma in Eastern Ghouta region in the suburban area near Damascus late on Saturday, reportedly killing at least 60 people and wounding more than 1,000 others. The Western countries blamed the incident on the Syrian government. Damascus rejected the accusations as “chemical fabrications,” which were made by the terrorists themselves in a bid to halt pro-government forces’ advances.
Damascus said that the so-called Jaish al-Islam Takfiri terrorist group, which has dominant presence in Douma, was repeating the accusations “in order to accuse the Syrian Arab army, in a blatant attempt to hinder the Army’s advance.”
