The White House said the Syrian regime may be preparing a chemical attack, while warning of severe consequences if it is carried out.
“The United States had identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime,” the White House statement read. “The activities are similar to preparations the regime made before its April 4, 2017.”
It comes as defense officials told Fox News that the Pentagon has spotted new activity “associated with chemical weapons” at a Syrian aircraft hangar where the previous attack on civilians was carried out. “We have seen activity at Shayrat Airfield . . . associated with chemical weapons,” Capt. Jeff Davis said.
In early April, the Shayrat Air Base near Homs was struck by 59 U.S. Tomahawk missiles.
A statement from the office of the press secretary said the purported attack could cause the “mass murder of civilians,” warning President Bashar al Assad that his regime would have to pay a “heavy price.”
