After demanding the United Nation’s send inspectors to the site of the chemical weapons attack in Douma, Syria, the Russians are saying the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) cannot go in to inspect the site.

OPCW briefing explaining the Syrian government has not yet permitted their deployment into Douma due to “pending security issues”, which is curious since yesterday they said they “purified” Ghouta from all terrorists https://t.co/o75hNJiY73

— Kareem Shaheen (@kshaheen) April 16, 2018

In the statement released by the OPCW, they said,

“The Team has not yet deployed to Douma. The Syrian and the Russian officials who participated in the preparatory meetings in Damascus have informed the FFM Team that there were still pending security issues to be worked out before any deployment could take place. In the meantime the Team was offered by the Syrian authorities that they could interview 22 witnesses who could be brought to Damascus.”

Isn’t that nice of the Assad regime? Sure they’re preventing the international body from inspecting the site because of “security issues” even though Russia said Douma had been cleared, but at least they hand-picked 22 people for investigators to interview. How thoughtful.

BREAKING: Russian military says the Syrian government is now in full control of town near Damascus, site of suspected chemical attack.

— The Associated Press (@AP) April 12, 2018

Don’t buy this nonsense, this is Russia’s game: distract, deflect, and disrupt. All the while, acting as if they are abiding by their international agreements. This is precisely what Secretary of Defense James Mattis warned about during Friday’s press conference immediately after the strikes were conducted.

Closing off the site and deciding who is allowed to be interviewed by the OPCW should be an insult to the entire international community because Russia is treating them like they’re idiots.