U.S. warns of impending chemical strike in Syria

The United States has detected “active preparations” by the Syrian military for chemical weapons use that could cost many civilian lives, according to the White House and the Pentagon. Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said the United States observed the activity at Shayrat airfield, from which Syria launched a chemical weapons airstrike April 4. Video of children and adults suffering from that attack was posted on the internet and brought to light the horrors of chemical warfare in Syria. The Syrian government denies it was behind the April 4 attack and said it is not planning another. The White House warned today that Syria would “pay a heavy price” if it used chemical weapons again. After the earlier attack, the United States hit Shayraf airfield with missiles. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, the biggest supporter of the Syrian regime, said, “Such threats to Syria’s legitimate leaders are unacceptable.”

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