Syrian army will halt fire for chemical weapons investigation: Russia

DAMASCUS, Syria (Kurdistan24) – The Syrian Military on Monday agreed to halt fire around the rebel-held town of Khan Shaykun if a chemical weapons investigation begins.

According to Russia’s defense ministry, the Syrian military is ready to cease fire around the town hit by a suspected chemical attack.

The chemical assault in Syria’s Idlib Province killed at least 90 people and left scores more injured.

“The Command of the Syrian armed forces [have] expressed readiness to cease hostilities in Khan Shaykun,” the Russian defense ministry said in a statement.

The report added the Syrian forces would comply “if a special mission of experts [was] sent there to investigate the events of April 4.”

The Russian defense ministry also said Damascus was prepared “to declare a complete moratorium on the activities of its troops, aviation, and artillery in the area.”

Access to the Shariyat airbase, where the chemical attacks were allegedly launched, would be granted as well, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called for a “full, transparent” examination into the chemical weapons attack.

Despite accusations from international powers, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad insisted his regime had turned over all their chemical weapons “years ago.”

According to the Syrian president, a deal was reached in 2003 in coordination with Russia, its key ally, to prevent the threat of US military action.

In the aftermath of the chemical bombing, Russia and the US disagreed over who to hold responsible for the deadly raid.

Russia blamed rebel fighters for the fatal incident, claiming a routine Syrian regime strike hit a rebel arms depot containing “toxic substances.”

US President Donald Trump branded the Assad regime as perpetrators of the crime, calling the assault “reprehensible.”

The Syrian government has yet to make an announcement regarding the chemical weapons probe.

Editing by Ava Homa