Syria conflict: Donald Trump threatens Russia with strikes
Responding to an alleged chemical attack near Damascus on Saturday, US President Donald Trump has threatened Russia to be prepared for missiles being fired at Syria. "Get ready Russia, because they (missiles) will be coming, nice and new and smart," Trump tweeted on Wednesday, advising Russia to "not be partners" with "gas killing animal" Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Here's more.
Trump warns Russia of a missile attack
Trump cancels first official trip to Latin America
To focus better on Syria, Trump cancelled his maiden trip to Latin America on Tuesday, a move suggesting that the US might be working on a full military operation and not a limited strike. With America still investigating the chemical attack, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said "all options remain on the table" and a final decision is yet to be reached.
US, UK, France join forces to launch strikes
The US, UK and France are together prepping for the military strike, reported the BBC. French President Emmanuel Macron intends to target "the regime's chemical capabilities". In the UK, Prime Minister Theresa May is reportedly willing to "act on Syria" as urgently as possible, even without the British parliament's consent. Meanwhile, USS Donald Cook, America's Navy guided-missile destroyer, is in the Mediterranean Sea.
What happened in Douma on Saturday?
The Syrian government on Saturday reportedly dropped toxic chemical bombs in Douma, the last rebel-held town near capital Damascus, killing at least 70 and injuring over 500 people, allege activists and rescue workers. However, Bashar al-Assad government, which allegedly gets military support from Russia, has denied all claims of any involvement in the chemical attack.
US-Russia relationship on an all-time low?
In another tweet, Trump painted a bleak picture of the US-Russia relations, saying it is "worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War." Saying things could change, he added it would be "very easy" for the US to help Russia with its struggling economy, but only if "all nations work together" and "stop the arms race".
Stop the arms race, appeals Trump
Russia warns US of a strong retaliation
Meanwhile, Russia has dismissed allegations of chemical attack, calling it a "provocation" by the West to justify its intervention in Syria. On Wednesday, it said samples taken from Douma didn't reveal any chemical exposure. Russia has also warned the US with gunning down its missiles and launch sites if they endanger Russian personnel. Moreover, Russian battleships have left the naval base in Syria's Tartus.
