Assad Vows to Retaliate Against U.S. If Obama Orders Strike

Katie Pavlich | September 09, 2013 7:56 AM

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has threatened retaliation against the United States should an attack on his country be carried out. The threat was made just two days before President Obama plans to make his case for a strike to the American people.

President Bashar Assad warned Sunday that if President Obama decides to launch military strikes on Syria, the U.S. and its allies should "expect every action" in retaliation.

"You should expect everything. Not necessarily from the government," Assad told "CBS This Morning" co-host Charlie Rose in his first television interview since Mr. Obama sought congressional approval for military action.

n a clear reference to his allies in Iran and the Islamic militant group Hezbollah, Assad warned that his government is "not the only player in this region."

"You have different parties, you have different factions, you have different ideology. You have everything in this region now," said Assad.

Over the weekend, Assad spoke with CBS News correspondent Charlie Rose and denied any use of cheminal weapons against his people, adding there is no evidence proving his regime released the gas.