BICOM

The White House announced last night it has evidence that Syria is preparing to launch another chemical attack, warning that it will “pay a heavy price” if it did so.

According to White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer: “The United States has 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.”

Spicer claimed that activities in Syria “are similar to preparations the regime made before its April 4, 2017 chemical weapons attack”.

The Press Secretary warned that if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad “conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price”.

US analysts have suggested the surprise move by the White House reflects both confidence in the intelligence and a willingness to take military action should the warning not be heeded.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley later reiterated that “any further attacks done to the people of Syria will be blamed on Assad,” adding that Russia and Iran – “who support him killing his own people”- would also be culpable.

US President Donald Trump and his national security adviser, Lt. Gen. H.R McMaster, were involved in the decision to issue a public warning.

On 4 April 2017 a chemical attack by the Assad regime, launched from a Syrian warplane, left more than 80 people dead, including children. In response President Trump ordered a missile strike that targeted a Syrian Air Force base.

In other news yesterday on the Syrian front, the IDF declared the border area opposite Quneitra in the Golan Heights a closed military zone and temporarily off-limits to civilians, following spill over fire from Syria into Israel over the last few days. Farmers will be allowed to work in their fields but will be restricted from going near the border fence.