White House accuses Assad of preparing new chemical attack
By Kamila Aliyeva
The White House believes that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is preparing a new chemical attack and pledges that the regime would pay a "heavy price" if it carries out another attack this year.
In a statement, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said that the U.S. had detected evidence of preparations for a chemical attack, similar to the preparations that occurred before an April attack.
"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. The activities are similar to preparations the regime made before its April 4, 2017 chemical weapons attack," the statement said.
On April 4, the National Coalition of Opposition and Revolutionary Forces of Syria reported about 200 wounded and 80 victims of chemical weapons attack in Khan-Sheikhun city of Idlib province. The oppositionists blamed government troops of Syria for the attack. The command of the Syrian army rejected accusations in its address and laid the blame on the militants and their patrons.
Following the April attack, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered an air strike against the Assad-controlled air field, where the attack was believed to have been carried out. The strike became the first direct military action the U.S. has taken against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the country's six-year civil war. As many as 59 missiles were fired, according to the Pentagon.
In an interview with RIA Novosti, Bashar Assad claimed that there was no chemical attack, but a provocation to justify the strike at Shayrat airbase.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem stated that the Syrian government troops have never used or intend to use chemical weapons against civilians and against terrorists.
The stocks of chemical weapons were successfully exported from Syria. In January 2016 the OPCW announced the complete elimination of the country's chemical industry.
In 2013, the organization received the Nobel Peace Prize for chemical disarmament of Syria.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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