Syria warns of chemical attack by rebels

Syria's foreign ministry Sunday warned that the opposition rebel groups may prepare to launch a chemical attack in Syria to frame its army.

The ministry warned that the rebels may stage an attack using chemical weapons against the Syrians to create a pretext for foreign aggression against Syria, Xinhua reported citing state-run SANA news agency.

The warning was released at a time when the Syrian army is advancing against the armed militant groups on several frontlines.

"In light of the achievements of the Syrian troops in fighting the armed terrorist groups in the countryside of Damascus, the countryside of Hama province and elsewhere, some of the regional and international circles are disseminating allegations about the possibility that the Syrian army using chemical weapons in its battles," the ministry said.

It stressed that "the Syrian government has repeatedly reiterated that it did not, and will not, use chemical weapon under any circumstance".

Last week, US Secretary of State John Kerry laid fresh allegations of chemical weapons use against the administration of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The US government held the Syrian government accountable for the chemical attack last year, which allegedly killed more than 1,400 people, a claim denied by Damascus.

Last year, a UN resolution condemned the use of chemical weapons in Syria, but also did not attribute blame.

It stated that the Security Council "was deeply outraged" by the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian conflict and that "the use of chemical weapons anywhere constituted a threat to international peace and security".