Trump blames Putin, Obama for Syria
Over 40 reported dead in alleged chemical attack by government forces
President Donald Trump lashed out Sunday against an alleged chemical weapons attack by Syrian government forces on civilians, ripping “Animal Assad” and laying blame for the Syrian president’s power on Russia, Iran and even President Barack Obama.
Trump’s tweetstorm came hours after the White Helmets, a civil defense force in rebel-held areas of Syria, claimed that entire families were gassed to death Saturday night in Douma and East Ghouta. The group, which put the death toll at more than 40, said many residents were hiding in cellars, suffocating from poison gas.
Syria state media said Sunday that rebel forces led by the Army of Islam had agreed to leave Douma within 48 hours.
“Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria,” Trump said on Twitter. “Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world.”
The attack came less than a week after Trump, speaking about Syria, declared: “I want to bring our troops back home.” A day later, however, the White House signaled that a U.S. withdrawal from Syria is not imminent.
On Twitter on Sunday, Trump demanded that the area be opened up for medical help and verification of a chemical attack, which would constitute a war crime. He called the attack another “humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!”
Trump blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran for providing support to Assad. Trump also blamed Obama for allowing Assad to cross his predecessor’s “stated Red Line In The Sand.” If Obama had acted years ago, Trump said, the Syrian crisis would have long since ended, and Assad would have passed into history.
Syria called the claims “fabrications,” and Iran and Russia also denied that any chemical weapons were used.
Maj. Gen. Yuri Yevtushenko, who heads Russia’s center for Syrian reconciliation, blamed the allegations on the White Helmets’ “fake news.”