Syria claims it has no chemical weapons

Syria’s Deputy Foreign Minister says allegations that Syria is using chemical weapons are an attempt to “justify hostile acts.”

Faisal Mekdad denies in comments published on the state news agency that his country possesses any chemical weapons. He says current campaigns against Syria have increased in response to Damascus’ battlefield successes.

Mekdad accuses the US threatening Syria’s stability and sovereignty, calling its rare strikes against pro-government forces earlier this week a “war crime.” The US says the strikes were in self-defense, after pro-government troops encroached on its allies and advisers in eastern Syria.

Mekdad also says the Kurdish enclave in northwestern Syria under Turkish attack is “is an integral part of the Syrian territories,” adding that they “will never give up one centimeter of these territories.” He also urges the Arabs and the Kurds in the area to unite to face what he called “Turkish aggression.”

— AP