White House accuses Russia of deflecting blame on Syria attack

Reuters: The United States accused Russia on Tuesday of trying to shield Syria's leader from blame for a deadly poison gas attack last week, as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson brought a Western message to Moscow condemning its support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Senior White House officials, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity, said Assad's government carried out the April 4 sarin nerve gas attack on civilians in Syria's Idlib province, killing 87 people including many children, to put pressure on rebels who were making advances in the area.

Russia has defended Assad, a staunch ally, against U.S. allegations that his forces carried out the attack, saying there is no such evidence. Russia has blamed Syrian rebels.

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