Russia claims 'Western service' behind Douma strike

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The deadly chemical attack in Douma, Syria was orchestrated by a Western “special service,” and Moscow has proof, Russia’s foreign minister claimed on Friday.

"We have hard evidence that it was a performance. And the special services of one state which is now eager to be in the forefront of the Russophobic campaign had their hand in it," Sergey Lavrov told reporters in Moscow, without specifying the country allegedly involved.

Amid signs that a military strike in response to the attack may be coming, Lavrov said he hoped no one would act hastily on Syria.

"God forbid anyone takes the plunge in Syria,” he said.

“I hope no one will dare take such a reckless step. But, nevertheless, even minor excesses will again lead to new waves of migrants to Europe."

He also urged parties to wait for the results of an analysis by the OPCW chemical weapons watchdog, which sent experts to Douma to collect evidence of the April 8 attack.

Last Saturday, Assad regime forces struck targets in Eastern Ghouta’s Douma district using a poisonous gas, killing at least 78 people and injuring hundreds more, according to the White Helmets civil defense.

On Feb. 24, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2401 which called for a month-long cease-fire in Syria – especially in Eastern Ghouta -- to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Despite the resolution, the regime and its allies early this month launched a major ground offensive backed by Russian air power aimed at capturing opposition-held parts of Eastern Ghouta.

Home to some 400,000 people, the suburb has remained the target of a crippling regime siege for the last five years.