{"id":98778,"date":"2018-03-14T01:54:53","date_gmt":"2018-03-14T01:54:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/03\/14\/russian-claims-that-us-is-planning-a-false-flag-chemical-weapons-attack-is-a-distraction-pentagon-says\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T10:45:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T10:45:24","slug":"russian-claims-that-us-is-planning-a-false-flag-chemical-weapons-attack-is-a-distraction-pentagon-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/03\/14\/russian-claims-that-us-is-planning-a-false-flag-chemical-weapons-attack-is-a-distraction-pentagon-says\/","title":{"rendered":"Russian claims that US is planning a false-flag chemical weapons attack is a distraction, Pentagon says"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Tuesday, Russian officials claimed that militants are preparing to use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/2018\/02\/02\/us-says-syria-making-new-chemical-weapons-despite-2013-deal\/\" title=\"\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\" data-original-title=\"\">chemical agents in Syria<\/a>, and intend to put the blame on the government of Syrian President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/2017\/11\/17\/rival-us-and-russian-resolutions-defeated-on-syria-weapons\/\" title=\"\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\" data-original-title=\"\">Bashar al-Assad<\/a>, according to <a href=\"http:\/\/tass.com\/world\/993678\" title=\"\" class=\"selected-link\" data-original-title=\"\" aria-describedby=\"popover409506\">Tass, a state-run news agency in Russia.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Russian Army Gen. Valery Gerasimov said that the United States is planning to then use the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/2018\/03\/03\/us-and-russia-clash-over-blame-for-syria-chemical-attacks\/\" title=\"\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\" data-original-title=\"\">chemical attack<\/a> as a way to &#8220;furnish the so-called \u2018evidence\u2019 of the alleged mass civilian deaths through the fault of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/2017\/11\/21\/putin-and-assad-meet-as-russia-plans-to-scale-back-military-presence-in-syria\/\" title=\"\" class=\"selected-link\" target=\"_blank\" data-original-title=\"\">Syrian government<\/a> and the Russian leadership supporting it.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;As a countermeasure, Washington plans to deliver a missile and bomb <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/2018\/03\/10\/syrian-troops-cut-major-roads-in-suburbs-of-damascus\/\" title=\"\" class=\"selected-link\" target=\"_blank\" data-original-title=\"\" aria-describedby=\"popover381255\">strike against Damascus<\/a>\u2019 government districts,&#8221; Gerasimov said, according to Tass. <\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/01\/23\/us-russia-ultimately-to-blame-for-syrian-chemical-attacks\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-908732280.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">US: Russia ultimately to blame for Syrian chemical attacks<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Russia is ultimately to blame for any use of chemical weapons in Syria, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday amid reports of a suspected chemical attack this week near the capital, Damascus.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those assertions are a distraction from the Assad regime\u2019s own use of chemical weapons in the Syrian capital of Damascus, according to Marine Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway, a Pentagon spokesman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt is impossible to ignore the growing body of evidence that Syria is continuing to use chemical weapons on its own people \u2014 a clear violation of international law,\u201d Rankine-Galloway told Military Times. \u201cAs Secretary Tillerson said in Paris in January, Russia ultimately bears responsibility for the countless Syrians targeted with chemical weapons since Russia became involved in Syria.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP17321076376608.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26758\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP17321076376608.jpg.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP17321076376608.jpg.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP17321076376608.jpg.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP17321076376608.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In this Sept. 6, 2016, file photo, provided by the Syrian anti-government activist group Aleppo Media Center (AMC), shows medical staff treating a man suffering from breathing difficulties inside a hospital in Aleppo, Syria, after a chemical attack. (Aleppo Media Center via AP,)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Pentagon is urging \u201cRussia to stop creating distractions and compel the Assad regime to stop brutalizing innocent Syrian citizens and allow much-needed aid to reach the people of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/2018\/02\/24\/damascus-suburb-strikes-kill-scores-un-votes-for-cease-fire\/\" title=\"\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\">East Ghouta<\/a> and other remote areas,\u201d Rankine-Galloway said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eastern Ghouta is a suburb of Damascus that has been a focal point for attacks by pro-Assad forces against rebels opposing the regime.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rankine-Galloway added that Russia has so far failed to resolve the issue of chemical weapons in Syria, which is \u201cenabling the Assad regime\u2019s brutality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRussia is morally complicit and responsible for Assad\u2019s atrocities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Part of Russia\u2019s posturing appears to be in response to comments made by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Monday, in which she pleaded with the UN to stop the Syrian regime\u2019s bombing of civilians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe United States remains prepared to act if we must,\u201d she said. \u201cIt is not the path we prefer, but it is a path we have demonstrated we will take and we are prepared to take again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov responded to those comments on Tuesday, saying that &#8220;if a new strike of this kind takes place, the consequences will be very serious.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1015\" height=\"926\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/syria-chemical-weapons-attack-map.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-94402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/syria-chemical-weapons-attack-map.jpg.jpg 1015w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/syria-chemical-weapons-attack-map.jpg.jpg?resize=300,274 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/syria-chemical-weapons-attack-map.jpg.jpg?resize=768,701 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1015px) 100vw, 1015px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chemical attacks in Syria since 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Mrs. Haley should understand that it is one thing to irresponsibly exploit the microphone in the UN Security Council and it is another thing when both the Russian and American militaries have communication channels and it is clearly stated via these channels what can be done and what must not be done,&#8221; Lavrov said, <a href=\"http:\/\/tass.com\/politics\/993724\" title=\"\" class=\"selected-link\" target=\"_blank\" data-original-title=\"\" aria-describedby=\"popover906340\">according to Tass<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/03\/11\/pentagon-chief-warns-syrian-forces-on-use-of-chemical-weapons\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/40749475091_eec7026de2_k.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Pentagon chief warns Syrian forces on use of chemical weapons<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Sunday warned the Syrian government not to use chemical weapons in its civil war and said the Trump administration has made it clear that it would be \u201cvery unwise\u201d to use gas in attacks.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The back and forth remarks also come on the heels of warnings by U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis that it would be \u201cvery unwise\u201d to use any chemical weapons in attacks, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/2018\/03\/11\/pentagon-chief-warns-syrian-forces-on-use-of-chemical-weapons\/\" title=\"\" class=\"selected-link\" target=\"_blank\" data-original-title=\"\" aria-describedby=\"popover802689\">Associated Press<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRight now we\u2019re getting reports \u2014 I don\u2019t have evidence that I can show you \u2014 but I\u2019m aware of the reports of chlorine gas use,\u201d Mattis said before Sunday during his overseas trip to the Middle East. <br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mattis added that the reports of pro-Assad forces killing civilians in eastern Ghouta shows they are \u201cat best indiscriminately\u201d attacking and \u201cat worst targeting hospitals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don\u2019t know which it is, whether they\u2019re incompetent or whether they\u2019re committing illegal acts, or both,\u201d Mattis said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Tuesday, Russian officials claimed that militants are preparing to use chemical agents in Syria and intend to put the blame on the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to Tass, a state-run Russian news agency.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":96061,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":10,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":{"4":{"categories":["flashpoints","your-air-force","news","daily-news-roundup","newsletters"],"primary_category":"flashpoints"},"5":{"categories":["flashpoints","your-army","news","daily-news-roundup","newsletters"],"primary_category":"flashpoints"},"6":{"categories":["flashpoints","your-marine-corps","news","daily-news-roundup","newsletters"],"primary_category":"flashpoints"},"7":{"categories":["flashpoints","your-navy","news","daily-news-roundup","newsletters"],"primary_category":"flashpoints"}}},"categories":[10,15,88],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3406],"class_list":["post-98778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flashpoints","category-news","category-your-military"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"W7A6XSJOOFHPPBDUMQF4TSWE7I","arc_canonical_url":"\/flashpoints\/2018\/03\/14\/russian-claims-that-us-is-planning-a-false-flag-chemical-weapons-attack-is-a-distraction-pentagon-says\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented 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