Nikki Haley, Ambassador to the United Nations said Tuesday that the U.S. is putting Syria, Russia, and Iran on notice if another chemical weapons attack occurs. Haley was asked during her testimony before the House Appropriations Committee about a White House statement released Monday night indicating that Syria may be preparing another chemical weapons attack.
"The United States has identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children," Sean Spicer tweeted in an official statement. "The activities are similar to preparations the regime made before its April 4, 2017 chemical weapons attack."
Statements from @PressSec on #syria pic.twitter.com/gEqPAf6WBk
— Sean Spicer (@PressSec) June 27, 2017
"As we have previously stated, the United States 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," the White House concluded.
Haley called the statement “accurate” saying, “They have seen activities that are similar to preparations of a chemical weapons attack much like what we saw on April 4th.”
“I believe that the goal is at this point is not just to send Assad a message but to send Russia and Iran a message,” she added, “that if this happens again we are putting you on notice and my hope is that this warning will certainly get Russia and Iran to take a second look.”
“I hope that it will caution Assad from the fact that we don’t want to see innocent men, women, and children hurt again,” she emphasized.
Haley tweeted Monday evening that “Any further attacks done to the people of Syria will be blamed on Assad, but also on Russia & Iran who support him killing his own people.”
Any further attacks done to the people of Syria will be blamed on Assad, but also on Russia & Iran who support him killing his own people.
— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) June 27, 2017
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Tuesday that he was "not aware of any information about a threat that chemical weapons can be used."
"Certainly, we consider such threats to the legitimate leadership of the Syrian Arab Republic unacceptable," Peskov added of the White House’s warning that Assad would “pay a heavy price” for any such attack.