SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/27/world/middleeast/syria-chemical-attack-trump.html
American officials have seen chemical weapons activity at a Syrian air base that was used in the spring nerve gas attack on rebel-held territory, the Defense Department said on Tuesday, scrambling to explain what prompted a White House statement a day earlier that Syria would "pay a heavy price" if it carried out another one.
Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters that what looked like active preparations for a chemical attack were seen at Al Shayrat airfield, which was struck in April by American cruise missiles two days after the Syrian government dropped bombs loaded with toxic chemicals in northern Syria. Another Defense Department official said that an aircraft shelter at Al Shayrat that had been hit by an American Tomahawk missile was being used for the preparation.
Syrian and Russian officials rejected the accusation, calling the White House statement a provocation.
(Score: 2) by jdccdevel on Friday June 30 2017, @03:51PM (1 child)
This is nothing like the WMD in Iraq.
In Iraq they said: "Trust us, the Weapons are there.... Somewhere. We swear it!"
Saddam was screwed from the get go. As soon as 9-11 happened, Bush JR wanted to invade Iraq, even though Iraq had nothing to do with it. It was clear to anyone paying attention that the government of the time would do anything to justify deposing him. I'm sure if the weapons were there, Saddam destroyed them long before the invasion, before it became obvious that there was no concession he could make that would appease Bush Jr. and Co.
This time, there's specifics. "This particular air base is being used for chemical weapons attacks, Here's the evidence of a previous attack carried out from that base, and they're making the same preparations again."
Anyone with decent satellite surveillance of the area can verify these most recent claims independently. Heck, it's probably possible to buy the relevant information commercially at this point.
Many governments have the capability to verify this, and some would just LOVE to call out the USA for lying if it's spouting BS. It wouldn't take much of a leak for someone to make the USA look like fools with these sorts of specifics if they're lying. Given that they haven't done that, instead responding with a generic press release, tells me that they can't.
Russia knows what's going on here. This denial is just them doing their normal misinformation campaign in support their Syrian allies. I honestly don't believe the Russian government (i.e. Putin) cares about chemical weapons being used. They're taking the "pragmatic" (for them) approach that the Syrian Government (i.e. Assad) is a friend powerful enough to bring stability to the area, and they really don't care how it's done.
You're probably right about it being used as justification for something. Likely it will be the escalation of attacks against the Syrian government directly, which is exactly what the USA is implying will happen.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 30 2017, @06:00PM
Let's split the sentence.
Yes, In the past, four years ago. And with another gas.
Yes, they are in war and the use the base for air attacks. What's the evidence they used chemical weapons, now, in that attack?
Yes, they are in war and the use the base for air attacks. What's the evidence they are going to carry chemical weapons NOW?
In fact, it is stupid from Bashar al-Assad to use chemical weapons and raising anger from western countries, now that is not the underdog. Beside this, chemical weapons are cheap, even Daesh has it. It is easy to think that USA just wants a causus belli [wikipedia.org] to topple Bashar al-Assad.
To make an opinion I need a second source (not UK).
When a government lies, gets credibility problems. WMD was a lie, a big lie. Dear USA, next time, don't lie.