U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis responded Monday to the Bashar al-Assad regime’s chemical weapons attack against civilians in Syria over the weekend.
"I don't rule out anything right now," Mattis told the press when he was asked about potential military action against Syria while meeting with the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, at the Pentagon.
“The first thing we have to look at is why are chemical weapons still being used at all when Russia was the framework guarantor of removing all chemical weapons,” Mattis said, “and so working with our allies and partners from NATO to Qatar and elsewhere we are going to address this issue.”
President Trump has tweeted that there will be a “big price” to pay for the attack.
Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018
....to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018
UN Ambassador Nikki Haley announced Sunday that there will be an emergency UN Security Council meeting on the chemical weapons attack Monday.
We along with 8 other members have called for an emergency Security Council mtg tomorrow in reference to the horrible chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians in Syria. This is becoming all too common. Strong action is needed. pic.twitter.com/Vt3L5fjVla
— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) April 8, 2018