Russia says terrorists plan to stage a chlorine attack, with the assistance of UK special services, to create a pretext for the US and the West to strike Syria. The Russian spokesman identified Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, which is a rebranding of al-Qaeda, as the group planning to stage the attack and put the blame in on Assad's forces. There is evidence that the prior gas attacks were staged in this fashion. (Links here, here and here). -GEG

Russia is again warning of a new potential chemical provocation in Syria at the end of a week in which US National Security Advisor John Bolton threatened Damascus with a "very strong" military response should allegations emerge amidst the Syrian Army campaign to liberate Idlib.