world

U.S. says it saw preparations for possible Syria chemical attack

27 Comments
By Jeff Mason and Dmitry Solovyov

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Thomson Reuters 2017.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

27 Comments
Login to comment

Funny how this coincides with the Senate deliberations over the AHCA. Nice attempt at distraction, Donald. We're still watching YOUR congress fail us all.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

I don't see the advantage of gas attacks from Assad side.

Killing his own population then having survivor and family joining the rebels?

Also having the world against him for doing it?

Remember his goal is to stay in power.

CrazyJoe: not sure this related at all.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

More BS for the Sheeple to swallow

6 ( +10 / -4 )

we may be selling arms and giving support to al nusa, al IS, al quada, al radical foreigners, but our only goals are regime change the the protection of israel. collateral damage...who cares, they are only muslims after all.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

IF the US received intelligence from any source about an upcoming chemical attack, then they would surely be more heavily and rightly criticized if they said nothing.

The surprising thing though is surely that the White House made this statement unilaterally without consulting any of the other agencies.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

FizzBit, here: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40413563

In a statement on Monday, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the US had "identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children". He added that if "Mr Assad conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price".

The White House provided no supporting evidence or further explanation.

US media had reported that the state department and Pentagon were caught off-guard by the statement, suggesting they were not consulted in advance, but the White House later said all "were involved in the process from the beginning".

The US permanent representative to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, also warned Russia and Iran - Mr Assad's allies. "Any further attacks done to the people of Syria will be blamed on Assad, but also on Russia & Iran who support him killing his own people," she tweeted.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Oh dear, here we go again. Whenever the Syrian military makes any progress (via conventional methods) at freeing its country from foreign-back terrorists, the US makes up an excuse to attack them.

Why do people keep falling for this?

2 ( +8 / -6 )

The US also just bombed a prison as well, killing 42 inmates, a mix of Syrian government fighters and civilians, while only killing 18 militants.

Anything to keep the country destablized, while claiming to be focused on destroying IS.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Thank Zeus the majority of us see it for what it is!!

I really hope you're right. But I am afraid that despite this being painfully obvious, many continue to fall for it.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

"Funny how this coincides with the Senate deliberations over the AHCA. Nice attempt at distraction, Donald. We're still watching YOUR congress fail us all."

America's leaders have done much worse to take the eyes off their failures. Just wait, Trump has only been in office a little while...

When we first tomahawked Syria for supposed chemical weapons I stood up and applauded Trump, my first and only time. But when we did not bother to do an independent inquiry and realizing this was most likely just another "Iraq" waiting to happen, I covered my face with my hands from shame.

"Although the intelligence was not considered conclusive"

I do not agree with Assad's handling of his "own" country or Russia bombing more rebels or even civilians then terrorists for the longest time, (or so we were told) but if all Trump and his ilk is going to do is accuse with out any actual proof, I will not support another Iraq.

"Russia challenged the U.S. intelligence about a possible attack.

"I am not aware of any information about a threat that chemical weapons can be used," Kremlin spokesman""

However I also would not believe this at face value either...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Hmm, so what will Trump do this time? Shoot a few missiles at an empty tent again?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Now might be a good time for Trump to implement that secret plan he had for eliminating ISIS in 30 days.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This is a blatant preparation for the next illegal US attack on Syria. I am very disappointed that Trump is heading in this direction. He was elected precisely on the promise to STOP this stupidity, and not to continue it.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Crazy Joe, completely unrelated.

And if anyone falls for this narrative,then nothing was learnt from the bush madness!! us has lost the plot and are trying their very best to false flag the hell out of the situation. Thank Zeus the majority of us see it for what it is!!

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Perhaps the US is worried about the interface in Raqqa where different groups are closing in on retaking the city. Naturally Assad and the Russians would like to control it once IS is kicked out. The Kurds would also like to control it, together with the Arab/Syrian opposition to Assad. The Turks would not like the US supported Kurds to get it, and they have no love for the Russians or Assad's regime. There has already been confusion with a little oops stepping on toes here and there, not solely upon IS. What if Assad dropped a huge load of sarin/chlorine barrel bombs right in the middle, to clear the place completely?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

false flag

Beloved mantra of the right wing.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Now might be a good time for Trump to implement that secret plan he had for eliminating ISIS in 30 days.

Filed alongside secret tapes of "conversations with Comey"...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well someone's military is apparently dropping cluster bombs from an "unidentified jet" in Syria and I doubt it is Syria itself or even Russia. Guess who that leaves... But who knows...

Sad though the civilian death toll by our own forces... Accidents happen in war, but these cluster bombs do not.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

In the absence of any sources for your quote, John, I had a look around and the only suggestions I could find were that the cluster bombs were dropped by Russian jets.

For example, 50 civilians killed on Wednesday: https://ja-jp.facebook.com/zamanalwslenglish/

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I can only repeat what I said above, that John provided no proof for his statement. What is the basis for his suggestion? I found two or three sources, after much searching, but none of them seemed convincing. I simply posted one as an example, after rejecting US and UK news sources.

There do seem to be reports of Russian cluster bomb usage around Aleppo etc., some time back though.

Can you present proof that it was not a Russian aircraft, or indeed proof that any countries are still using cluster bombs?

Which countries feel it is important not to use them, and which ones do not feel such a moral compunction?

Still wondering what John was trying to suggest.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

For example this from a year ago documents Syrian/Russian usage of cluster munitions. I have not heard any declaration since then that they would stop using them, a declaration which would surely have made headlines. Why does John think it unlikely that the Syrian or Russian air force would use them now?

https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/07/28/russia/syria-widespread-new-cluster-munition-use

Footnote. Saudi Arabian forces have used cluster bombs in Yemen, it is reported. Are they flying missions over Syria?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Burning BushToday  07:15 am JST

Riiiiiiiight.

The Syrian government has basically won the war and now their new plan is to "test the world's resolve" by randomly killing civilians.

Oh deary whatever happened to "Assad has won"? That's at least two years of Kremlin propaganda-ago. Two years of Russia and Assad slaughtering civilians.....

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

@Madverts

Oh deary whatever happened to "Assad has won"? That's at least two years of Kremlin propaganda-ago

When did the Kremlin say "Assad has won two years ago"? Proof, please. And tell us about very much more successful US/NATO operations in Afghanistan and Iraq? "Mission accomplished", huh? 

@nandakandamanda

 I had a look around and the only suggestions I could find were that the cluster bombs were dropped by Russian jets

Can you provide proof for your bold statement, not links to terrorebels' propaganda? Or we should be grateful that you do not cite ISIS?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The surprising thing though is surely that the White House made this statement unilaterally without consulting any of the other agencies.

And you know this how? Link please.

The Saudi Clown Princes' ultimatum to Qatar has failed.

Where is that news?

This is a distraction of course, but not the kind the anti-Trumpologists would like it to be.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

false flag op coming up.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites