Damascus accused of gas attack as cover for airstrike

A three-month-old deal to avoid a nal battle in the last rebel-held province of Syria looks to be under increasing strain. Russia, which supports the regime, and Turkey, which backs the opposi- tion, have guaranteed the stay of execution for the northern region of Idlib that is crammed with rebel ghters. However in December 2018, the Assad regime launched airstrikes on rebel-held areas in the north of the country. The renewed attacks were the most serious violation of a truce reached by Russia and Turkey that brought relative calm to the country’s north. The attack was a response to claims that insurgents wounded more than 100 people in a suspected toxic gas attack in Aleppo. The rebels, who have denied carrying out any chemical attacks, accused the govern- ment of trying to undermine the cease re. the UK and US have now rejected Syria and Russia’s claim, with the US accusing forces loyal to the regime of ring tear gas into Aleppo.