Damascus Says Militants Plot to Stage ‘Chemical Attack’ in Idlib

The United Nations vehicle carrying the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) inspectors is seen in Damascus, Syria. (Reuters/File)
The United Nations vehicle carrying the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) inspectors is seen in Damascus, Syria. (Reuters/File)
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Damascus Says Militants Plot to Stage ‘Chemical Attack’ in Idlib

The United Nations vehicle carrying the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) inspectors is seen in Damascus, Syria. (Reuters/File)
The United Nations vehicle carrying the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) inspectors is seen in Damascus, Syria. (Reuters/File)

The Syrian Foreign Ministry said that al-Qaeda linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group plans to stage a chemical attack in Syria’s Idlib, affirming that chlorine gas barrels were recently delivered through Bab Al-Hawa border crossing to Atma.

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted a reliable source from the Ministry as saying that a chemical factory and a laboratory for preparing Chlorine are located in Atma.

According to SANA, the source said those acts are "guided and supported by the US, some Western countries and Turkish intelligence services."

In this regard, the Syrian Foreign Ministry demanded that the countries that sponsor terror groups stop their games that could lead to civilian casualties.

"Syria will hold the countries that support those terrorists responsible for using toxic materials and killing innocent civilians without any moral deterrent."

“Syria also calls on the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to not ignore that information" the statement read, stressing "the need to take it very seriously and deal with it within the framework of its mandate specified in light of the Chemical Weapons’ Convention.”

The Ministry also affirmed in its statement that fabricating chemical scenarios won’t affect Syria’s stance in combating terrorism.



Israeli Airstrike Hits Central Beirut Near Key Government Buildings and Embassies

 Rescue workers search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP)
Rescue workers search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP)
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Israeli Airstrike Hits Central Beirut Near Key Government Buildings and Embassies

 Rescue workers search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP)
Rescue workers search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP)

An Israeli airstrike late Monday struck a densely populated residential area in Lebanon's capital close to the UN headquarters, Parliament, the prime minister’s office and several embassies.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said two missiles hit the area of Zoqaq al-Blat neighborhood of Beirut. The strike comes following reports that the US envoy has delayed his visit for ceasefire talks.

Ambulance sirens echoed through the area, but no official casualty figures have been released. A reporter with The Associated Press at the scene described significant casualties on the street.

The target of the airstrike remains unclear, and the Israeli army did not issue a prior warning.

Many areas in central Beirut, including Zoqaq al-Blat, became a refuge for many displaced by the ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut. The strike also occurred near a Hussainiya, a Shiite mosque.

It was the second consecutive day of Israeli strikes on central Beirut after more than a month-long pause.

On Sunday, a strike in the area of Ras al-Nabaa killed Hezbollah media spokesperson Mohammed Afif, along with six other people, including a woman.

Later that day, four people were killed in a separate strike in the commercial district of Mar Elias. Reports said it targeted leader of Hezbollah’s southern operations Mahmoud Madi.

Israeli media did not have immediate comment.