WASHINGTON: The United States said Tuesday it suspected that Syrian government forces have carried out a fresh chemical attack and it threatened reprisals.
The State Department said it was assessing indications that the regime used chemical weapons on Sunday during its offensive in Idlib, the most significant remaining holdout in Syria of jihadist rebels.
“We are still gathering information on this incident, but we repeat our warning that if the Assad regime uses chemical weapons, the United States and our allies will respond quickly and appropriately,” State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.
She also denounced Russia, the key ally of Damascus, for what she called a “disinformation campaign” as it tries to blame other parties for chemical attacks.
“The Assad regime’s culpability in horrific chemical weapons attacks is undeniable,” Ortagus said.
Russia and Turkey, the key ally of the rebels, in September reached an agreement that nominally protects Idlib amid fears for the safety of some three million people in the northwestern area.
But Syria’s former Al-Qaeda affiliate, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, has seized a large part of the province and adjoining areas, triggering a regime offensive that includes strikes by Syrian and Russian airplanes.
Ortagus said that the offensive has “destroyed known health facilities, schools, residences and internally displaced person camps.”
“The regime’s attacks against the communities of northwest Syria must end,” she said.
“The United States reiterates its warning, first issued by President (Donald) Trump in September 2018, that an attack against the Idlib de-escalation zone would be a reckless escalation that threatens to destabilize the region,” she said.
The warning came despite a trip to Russia last week by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who voiced optimism that the rival powers had found ways to work together on Syria.
Some 180 civilians have been killed in the flare-up since April 30, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitor. The United Nations says that tens of thousands have fled their homes.
International inspectors say that Assad’s forces have carried out a series of chemical attacks in the course of the brutal civil war, which has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since 2011.
A sarin gas attack in April 2017 in the town of Khan Sheikhun killed 83 people, according to the United Nations, leading Trump to order a strike by 59 cruise missiles on a Syrian air base.
His action was a reversal from his predecessor Barack Obama, who had declared chemical weapons to be a red line but controversially chose not to respond militarily and instead worked with Russia on a plan that aimed to remove the regime’s chemical stockpile.
Trump, however, is also skeptical of a commitment in Syria and last year ordered the withdrawal of all 2,000 US troops, although aides later said a small number would stay.
US suspects Syria in new chemical attack, threatens reprisal
US suspects Syria in new chemical attack, threatens reprisal
Macron calls on Israel, Iran and Hezbollah to prevent Lebanon being embroiled in conflict
- French president insists Hezbollah must disarm and hostilities stop at moment of ‘great danger’
- Announces military vehicles for Lebanese military, and aid for those displaced by fighting
LONDON: Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called on Israel and Iran not to embroil Lebanon in the conflict sweeping the Middle East.
The French president made his plea as panic swept through Beirut after Israel ordered residents to evacuate the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital and three villages in Lebanon’s eastern Beqaa region.
Macron said he had drawn up a plan to end hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, which included providing military aid to the Lebanese army.
“Everything must be done to prevent this country, so close to France, from once again being drawn into war,” Macron said.
“At this moment of great danger, I call on the Israeli prime minister not to expand the war to Lebanon.
“I call on Iranian leaders not to further draw Lebanon into a war that is not its own.”
Earlier on Thursday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun asked Macron to “intervene with Israel to prevent Beirut's southern suburbs from being targeted.”
He also urged the French president to help bring about a “ceasefire as soon as possible,” according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency.
The US and Israeli attack on Iran has led to a resumption of fighting between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.
Israel bombed what it claims are Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s suburbs and southern Lebanon, killing more than 100 people and displacing at least 80,000. Hezbollah launched rockets across the border in response.
The evacuation order for vast areas of southern Beirut has raised fears that Israel is preparing for a devastating attack on the Hezbollah stronghold that would further drag Lebanon into the conflict.
Macron said he had spoken to President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Lebanese leaders “to establish a plan to bring an end to the military operations currently being carried out by Hezbollah and Israel on either side of the border.
“Hezbollah must immediately cease its fire toward Israel, he said. “Israel must refrain from any ground intervention or large-scale operation on Lebanese territory.
“The Lebanese authorities have given me their commitment to take control of the positions held by Hezbollah and to fully assume responsibility for security across the entire national territory.”
France will provide the Lebanese Armed Forces with armored vehicles and “operational and logistical support,” Macron said.
Several tons of medicine, shelters and other assistance are being sent from France to help with the tens of thousands of people fleeing southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese military has worked to remove Hezbollah's weapons in the south of the country as part of a ceasefire between the group and Israel agreed in November 2024.
As Israel and Hezbollah resumed outright hostilities this week, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam took further measures against the group, banning its military activities and demanding the group hand over all its weapons.
Macron also insisted the group must disarm to “respect the national interest, show that it is not a militia taking orders from abroad, and allow the Lebanese to come together to preserve their country.”
