Russia accuses U.S. of backing Syrian rebels who use poison gas on civilians

[NWCorona]

Source: Reuters

Russia's foreign ministry sharply criticized U.S. behavior in Syria on Thursday, accusing Washington of backing rebels who use poison gas against civilians and of killing hundreds in air strikes.

The ministry's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, referred to rebels supported by Washington as "animals" and said Washington and its allies were recklessly carrying out air attacks leading to numerous civilian deaths.

Zakharova's strong comments, in a statement posted to social media, underscored the serious divisions between Moscow and Washington over Syria where they are united in their opposition to Islamic State but so far little else.

Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad and his forces, while Washington supports rebel groups fighting both his government and Islamic State militants. While the two countries argue over a possible peace plan, a battle for eastern Aleppo has erupted.

Read more: http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN10F220?

[uhnope]

1. Syria Analysis: Russia’s Propaganda Over “Rebel Chemical Attack” in Aleppo

RT caused further confusion — perhaps deliberately — by mixing up the Aleppo claim with the Assad regime’s chlorine attack on Saraqeb in Idlib Province on Monday.

RT’s package headlines “two chemical attacks in Syria in the past few days” and puts up a map identifying both Aleppo and Saraqeb.

However, the report and interview with a correspondent never mentions that the Assad regime’s helicopters carried out the Saraqeb attack, leaving viewers with the impression that rebels were responsible.
...
And — even if close critique of the claims raises suspicions — Russia can claim success, at least in muddying the situation to divert attention from Russian-regime airstrikes. Instead of focusing on the Saraqeb incident on Wednesday, CNN put out the neutral “Reports of Chemical Gas Attacks in 2 Syrian Cities”.

http://eaworldview.com/2016/08/syria-feature-russias-propaganda-over-rebel-chemical-attack-in-aleppo/