Tensions are on the rise in Syria's Idlib province due to a high concentration of militants there, Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.
"Tension in Syria and around it is increasing. The most difficult situation on the ground is in the province of Idlib, where tensions have escalated due to a high concentration of terrorists," Zakharova told a briefing.
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The spokeswoman further noted that militants in Syria's Idlib province were preparing for a long-term defense and an offensive on Aleppo and Hama stating that militants took decisive actions aimed to "centralize the management, prepare for long-term defense, eliminate leaders of opposition groups prone to peacemaking, and also elaborate options for offensives on the cities of Aleppo and Hama."
In addition, Zakharova said that preparations for a staged chemical attack in Syria's Idlib continued despite the fact that the plans of militants and White Helmets were uncovered.
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"Despite the uncovering of plans by militants and representatives of White Helmets to stage the use of chemical weapons by government troops, preparation of the above-mentioned staged action continues inside the Idlib zone," Zakharova said.
According to the spokeswoman, Moscow was concerned about the attempts of the United States to prepare the international public opinion for a new aggression against Syria.
"Regarding the international political point of view, the most serious concern is using of a very serious range of opportunities by Washington: from statements by officials to comments by biased media, the goal seems to be the preparation of public opinion for a new aggression against Syria," Zakharova said.
The tensions in the region escalated against the backdrop of Western media campaign alleging the possible chemical attack in the region by the Syrian government forces. At the same time, the Russian Center for Syrian Reconciliation noted that it had registered signs of preparations for false flag chemical attacks in the province.
