Senior Russian MP warns US against 'illegal action' in Syria

A senior Russian lawmaker has warned the US against any "illegal action" in Syria following the recent alleged chemical attack on the militant-held town of Douma.

"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," TASS news agency quoted Chairman of Duma Defense Committee and former Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Airborne Troops Vladimir Shamanov as saying at a plenary meeting of the parliament.

He also described the reports on the alleged chemical attack in Syria’s Douma as “absolute provocation.”

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.”

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Russia says it has warned the US of "grave repercussions" if it attacks Syria over claims of a chemical weapons attack.

Syria, backed by the Russian air force, has already liberated almost all Eastern Ghouta and has reached an evacuation deal with the terrorists to leave Douma, their last stronghold in Eastern Ghouta region.

US President Trump, however, warned that Russia, Iran and Syria will have a “big price to pay” following the suspected chemical attack, saying his administration will soon be making “some major decisions” on Syria.

Citing unnamed US officials, Reuters reported Monday that Trump is weighing a multinational military response to the purported poison gas attack.

Shamanov slammed Trump’s warning following the alleged attack and said, "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 will not let the Americans hammer nails on someone else’s anvil."

The Russian lawmaker also lashed out at Israel’s deadly Monday airstrike on T-4 air base in Syria's Homs Province.

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Syria warns about the “dangerous repercussions” of the Israeli assaults on its territories following a recent attack on T-4 air base in the Syrian province of Homs.

"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," Shamanov pointed out.

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