Assad warned not to use chemical weapons

SYRIA was warned yesterday it would pay “a heavy price” if it repeated alleged chemical weapons attack on its people.

US President Donald Trump issued the warning after US intelligence “identified potential preparations” for another deadly strike by Bashar al-Assad’s forces.

The last time the Assad regime allegedly deployed chemical weapons on its civilians was on April 4, when dozens of children, women and men were killed by government forces in rebel-held Khan Sheikhoun. A retaliatory strike issued by Mr Trump in the following days was the first US di- rect military action against Syria and marked his most dramatic foreign intervention.

A Tomahawk missile strike was directed at the Syrian air base from where the chemical attack, most likely using sarin gas, had been delivered.

In a statement, White House press secretary Sean Spicer revealed the new threat.

“The US has identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians,” the statement said.

“The activities are similar to preparations the regime made before its April 4, 2017, chemical weapons attack.

“As we have stated, the US is in Syria to eliminate the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. If, however, Mr Assad conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price.”

Mr Assad has denied responsibility for the April attack, which drew worldwide condemnation amid devastating images of victims choking to death after being gassed.

Reuters reported US and allied intelligence detected suspicious activity at sites where Mr Assad’s soldiers are suspected of hiding chemical weapons.