Russia warns of chemical attack plot in Syria; Trump threatens to close border with Mexico

Russia warns of new chemical attack plot in Syria

Smoke rises after an attack in Syria. Photo: THX/TTXVN

According to a VNA correspondent in Moscow, head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Enemy Parties in Syria Viktor Kupchishin accused French and Belgian special forces, with the support of rebel gunmen, of preparing a plot to attack civilians with chemical weapons in Idlib (Syria) as a provocation.

According to Mr. Kupchishin, the two agencies organized a meeting between the leaders of the terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and representatives of the organization "White Helmets" to discuss the details of the attack plot, including a plan to film the consequences to prove the government army's use of chemical weapons.

The head of the Russian Reconciliation Center also said that the attacks by the Russian Aerospace Forces on the militants' ammunition depots were filmed to frame the Russian side for using chemical weapons.

Trump wants to close the border with Mexico next week

• The border wall between Mexico and the US in Ciudad Juarez city. Photo: Reuters

US President Donald Trump has threatened to close the border with Mexico next week if Mexico does not do anything to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States.

"If Mexico does not immediately stop illegal immigration coming into the United States through the southern border, there is a possibility that I will close the border next week and I feel fine with that," Mr. Trump told reporters from the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on March 29.

RiverTens of thousands of Palestinians protest along the Gaza-Israel border

Medical staff transport an injured Palestinian protester in the Gaza Strip on March 19. Photo: THX/TTXVN

AFP reported that on March 30, tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered along the Gaza-Israel border to mark one year since protests and clashes broke out there.

The incident is a test of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, just 10 days before Israel holds general elections.

One person was killed and 59 others were injured, including 13 with live ammunition, in clashes in eastern Gaza City on the same day, according to Gaza's health authority.

Meanwhile, according to AFP, dozens of Palestinians approached the border fence in East Jabalia, southern Gaza Strip at noon on March 30, before being forced to retreat after Israeli soldiers used tear gas to suppress them.

Russia opens military helicopter training center in Venezuela

Russian Mi-17 military helicopter at an exhibition near Moscow. Photo: Sputnik

Venezuela is currently the largest buyer of Russian weapons in Latin America and has acquired a wide range of equipment such as Su-30MK2 fighter jets, Mil helicopters, tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, anti-aircraft missiles and Kalashnikov rifles.

Mr. Davydenko said Moscow aims to strengthen defense cooperation with Venezuela in the coming time.

Türkiye launches massive airstrikes in northern Iraq

Photo: AP

According to the announcement of the Turkish Ministry of Defense, within the framework of the “Pençe” operation, the country carried out airstrikes on the headquarters, shelters and bunkers of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party in northern Iraq, where terrorist leaders were preparing to attack the border unit of the Turkish army.

Ankara reported that since July 2015, attacks by Kurdish militants have killed about 1,000 soldiers and police and about 500 civilians.

EU investigates alleged aid money sent to rebels in the Philippines

The New People's Army (NPA) rebel group in the Philippines. Photo: AFP

The European Union (EU) said on March 30 it would investigate allegations that its aid packages were diverted to the New People’s Army (NPA) rebel group in the Philippines, which has waged a decades-long insurgency that has left thousands dead.

The Philippine government has requested the investigation, alleging that aid money provided for EU non-profit projects was diverted to the NPA and its political party, the EU representative office in Manila said.

According to the office, if the above allegations are grounded, the EU will immediately initiate legal proceedings. The EU will also hire an external auditing firm to check the books next April.