Syria war: Aleppo 'gas attack' sparks Russia strikes

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: BBC

Russia has carried out air strikes against Syrian rebels it accuses of launching a chemical attack on the government-held city of Aleppo.

Both Syria and its Russian allies say shells carrying toxic gas injured about 100 people late on Saturday.
...
The rebels deny carrying out a chemical strike and say the claims are a pretext for an attack on opposition-held areas.

Parts of the Aleppo region, as well as the neighbouring provinces of Hama and Idlib, are controlled by Turkish-backed rebels and jihadists.

Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-46337143

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Who to believe? This is what happens when an American president gets elected on fake news and then accuses everyone else of spreading fake news - everyone has an excuse to do what the fuck they want, like murdering journalists or accusing an opposition with a tiny hold on a bit of a city of being able to mount a chemical attack.

[Igel]

1. This was happening before Trump took office.

It's *post* hoc ergo prompter hoc, "after this, therefore because of this" not "before this, therefore because of this."

As for accusing the opposition of mounting the attack, it's an empirical question. The fact is that small groups have been able to mount attacks. Just look at the fairly small territorial holdings the Palestinians had around Munich when they attacked the Olympics there, or the scant 20 or 30 square miles of New York held by al Qaida before they attacked the WTC. I guess. The point is, you don't need territorial holdings at all if you can get the materiel transported to the scene of the attack.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. It's the first time I've heard of Russia saying they launched an attack because of a chemical

weapons attack. When did it happen before?

"If you can get the materiel transported to the scene" - well, yes, that's a big 'if'. Since Aleppo, and the area around it, has been pretty much under Syrian government control for some time. It's not impossible, but I have my doubts.

[ChiTownDenny]

3. Thanks for your commentary to this article.

Syrian rebels conducting a chemical attack? Highly unlikely. Russia lying about being militarily aggressive to further its own goals? Highly likely.