Russia Blames Israel for Airstrike in Syria, Following Alleged Chemical Attack

Russia is claiming that the Israeli Air Force launched a deadly strike on a T4 airbase in Syria.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said two Israeli fighter jets attacked the Syrian airbase from Lebanon air space. Syria is an ally to Russia.

Syrian forces were able to shoot down five of the eight missiles, according to the defense ministry. The other three landed in the western part of the base.

Fourteen people were killed, including Iranians.

Officials from Syria are also blaming Israel for the attack.

No country has claimed the attack and the Pentagon has said it was not involved at all.

“However, we continue to closely watch the situation and support the ongoing diplomatic efforts to hold those who use chemical weapons, in Syria and otherwise, accountable,” a Defense Department spokesman said.

The airstrike follows a chemical attack on the town of Damascus in Syria, where poison gas killed at least 60 people by suffocation. A Syrian medical relief group said more than 1,000 people were injured in the chemical attack.

“The numbers keep rising as relief workers struggle to gain access to the subterranean areas where gas has entered and hundreds of families had sought refuge,” the Union of Medical Care Organizations said in a statement.

Aid groups said the woundedwere foaming at the mouth and in respiratory distress caused by the poison gas.

The Assad government denied responsibility for the chemical attack.

President Donald Trump called the airstrike “mindless” and blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin as “responsible” for supporting the attack. He said there would be a “big price to pay” for the poison attack.

British Prime Minister Theresa May called the attack “reprehensible” and said if the Assad government was behind the airstrike, it would be punished.

Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: April 9, 2018