Strikes loom against Syria

The United States on Wednesday prepared for imminent military strikes against Syria in response to a chemical weapons attack against civilians last week.

A resolution authorising all necessary measures to protect civilians is said to have been suggested to the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council by the United Kingdom.

Both countries have called on the international community to take action against the Syrian government for its alleged use of chemical weapons on civilians last week that resulted in deaths of hundreds of people near Damascus.

Although the Syrian government has strongly denied responsibility for the August 21 attack, a team of UN weapons inspectors currently investigating the sites are expected to finish their work in four days.

The five permanent members of the UN are said to have concluded a meeting on the issue while the UK, US and France are continuing talks. No official comment was made after the meeting.

Russia has however, insisted that there is no proof yet of the Syria’s government complicity and has accused the US of creating excuses for military intervention. On twitter, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said, “The West handles the Islamic world the way a monkey handles a grenade.”

It is expected that Russia, a close ally of Syria, would use its veto power to block a resolution alongside China, which also has a permanent seat on the council. China’s official newspaper also criticized on Wednesday what it saw as a push for illegal, Iraq-style “regime change” – despite US denials that Obama aims to overthrow Assad.

“It’s time that the United Nations Security Council shouldered its responsibilities on Syria, which for the past two and a half years it’s failed to do,” British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Wednesday.

He added that even if China and Russia veto a resolution, “We and other nations still have a responsibility” to act.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on Wednesday issued a warning to Syria. It denounced the use of chemical weapons as a threat to international peace and security.

The statement said, “The Syrian regime maintains custody of stockpiles of chemical weapons. Information available from a wide variety of sources points to the Syrian regime as responsible for the use of chemical weapons in these attacks. This is a clear breach of long-standing international norms and practice.”

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told the BBC Tuesday that its forces were ready to strike. US warships armed with cruise missiles are reportedly plowing the waters of the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

At The Hague, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon pleaded for reprieve for the sake of the inspectors. He said, “The team needs time to do its job and has already collected valuable evidence.

Western armies are expected to wait until the UN experts withdraw. Their initial 14-day mandate expires in four days.

In Damascus, residents stocked up on supplies on Wednesday and some left homes close to potential targets as US officials described plans for multi-national strikes on Syria that could last for days.

In a city where dozens of military sites are mixed in among civilian neighborhoods, some were seen leaving home in the hope of finding somewhere safer, though many doubted it was worth it: “Every street, every neighborhood has some government target,” said a nurse in the city center. “Where do we hide?”

At grocery stores, shoppers loaded up on bread, dry goods and cans. Bottled water and batteries were also in demand. Meanwhile the Israeli government has authorised a limited call-up of reserve soldiers. Officials told the BBC that although the likelihood of Israel being drawn into fighting with Syria was very low, the country nevertheless had to prepare for that scenario.

But an Israeli official briefed on a meeting of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet said the Jewish state believed the probability of it be targeted by Syria, its northern neighbor and long-time foe, was low.

“Following a security assessment held today, there is no reason for a change to normal routines,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “We are, in parallel, preparing for any scenario.”

Israel Radio said mobilization of several hundred troops in intelligence and air defense had been authorized.

Army Radio reported the military was using all of its missile defenses, which include the short-range Iron Dome, the mid-range Patriot and the long-range Arrow II.

Facing potentially imminent attack by the United States and other Western powers over its alleged use of chemical weapons, Damascus has also hinted it could shoot back at the Jewish state. Possible rocket salvos are also expected from Hezbollah, Syria’s Lebanese militia ally.

Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel sought to stay out of the Syrian crisis but would respond forcefully to any attempt to attack it.

Tweet Follow @punshcomempower
50% off Hosting for your Website at GoDaddy.com!
It's a BIG Deal! $5.99* .COM from GoDaddy.com!
It's a BIG Deal! $5.99* .COM from GoDaddy.com!
Host a site without stress on namecheap eApps|YOUR APP HOSTING PROVIDER
Submit your Website
Free webmaster resources including SEO Tools, Computer Glossary, Templates Sign up to BIGTIMEBUX today!