US Adviser Issues Warning Over Possible Idlib Chemical Attack

Tamanah, Idlib during air raids (Image: PA).

The US Government’s advisor on Syria says there is "lots of evidence" that the Assad regime is set to use chemical weapons in its upcoming attack on rebel-held Idlib.

Jim Jeffrey told journalists: "I am very sure that we have very, very good grounds to be making these warnings.

“Any offensive is to us objectionable as a reckless escalation…There is lots of evidence that chemical weapons are being prepared,” he added.

Thousands of troops have been readying for the invasion of the province and the United States has warned against military action.

Taking to Twitter earlier this week, President Trump warned:

 "The Russians and Iranians would be making a grave humanitarian mistake to take part in this potential human tragedy. Hundreds of thousands of people could be killed. Don't let that happen!"

In April 2017 the US launched a cruise missile strike on a Syrian airfield after Assad ordered a chemical weapons attack on rebel-held Khan Sheikhoun – killing dozens.

Washington has promised similar action would be taken "swiftly and vigorously" if the regime used chemical weapons once again.

The United Nations has warned that an attack on Idlib could lead to the displacement of up to 800,000 people and urged the Assad regime against military action.

The governments of Syria, Turkey, Russia and Iran will today hold a summit on how to bring an end to the conflict.

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on a recent visit to Damascus that the "terrorists must be purged" from Idlib province, adding:

"Syria's territorial integrity should be safeguarded and all tribes and groups, as one society, should start the reconstruction process, and the refugees should return to their homes."

With the help of Russian air power, the Syrian Government has retaken control of rebel controlled town after town and observers expect it will be also take control of Idlib too if it does launch an attack as expected.

Rebels have pinned their hopes on the Turkish Government, who they hope will be able to limit the scale of the attack.

“We realise the extent of vengeance and massacres that will befall us if they get our heads,” Mustafa Sejari, a Free Syrian Army (FSA) commander, told Reuters.

Ankara is against an attack but today’s conference will determine whether they are able to bring the Kremlin around to their way of thinking.

“We will find out to some degree…if the Russians are willing to come to a compromise with the Turks,” Jeffrey concluded.