SANAA – The embattled Syrians have started preparations to face ‘another’ chemical attack from the Bashar al Assad regime as the new US envoy for Syria has said there is “lots of evidence” about use of chemical weapons in Idlib.
Jim Jeffrey said an anticipated offensive against the last major rebel-held area would be a ‘reckless escalation’, saying he was very sure that we [US] have very, very good grounds to be making these warnings.
In his first interview since being appointed, the envoy, however, fell short of giving details of the evidence he was referring to.
Mr Jeffrey said a that major diplomatic initiative was now needed to end the seven-year civil war, claiming that a new commitment by President Donald Trump was made to remain involved in Syria until the Islamic State group (IS) was defeated and to ensure that Iranian fighters leave the country.
The envoy highlighted that President Assad had ‘no future as a ruler’ but hastened to add that it was not Washington’s job to oust him.
The US would work with Russia on a political transition, said the official.
The US state department also warned on Monday that Washington would retaliate to any chemical attacks by the Syrian government or its allies.
Though the Assad regime denies involvement in any chemical attack, experts from the UN and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have said they are confident government forces were behind an attack involving the nerve agent on a rebel-held town in Idlib in 2017 that killed more than 80 people.
