US begins war on Syria as early as Thursday, officials say
The guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107)
The unnamed officials told NBC News on Tuesday that
the “three days” of strikes would be limited in scope, and aimed at “sending a message to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad rather than degrading his military capabilities.”
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem on Tuesday accused Kerry of lying about the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government, challenging Washington and its allies to provide evidence.
Russia and China have both warned against a US-led military intervention in Syria. Moscow says a military action would have "catastrophic consequences" for the entire region.
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PressTV - US begins war on Syria as early as Thursday, officials say
‘Architect’ of US ‘surgical strikes’ on Syria doubts his strategy will work
As a highly-detailed proposal for “surgical” airstrikes on Syria garners more bipartisan support in Washington, a key “architect” of that strategy has questioned the wisdom and effectiveness of carrying it out.
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PressTV - ?Architect? of US ?surgical strikes? on Syria doubts his strategy will work
West, Arab leaders reach ‘consensus’ on Syria attack
The British Royal Navy's helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious is deployed to the Mediterranean, on August 25, 2013.
Western and Arab military leaders have reached a “consensus” on military intervention in Syria over accusations that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons, a Jordanian security official told German news agency, DPA.
Meanwhile, the British Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesman said UK armed forces are devising contingency plans for military action against the Arab country over the alleged use of chemical weapons.
The UK has been reportedly sending warplanes and military transporters to its airbase in Cyprus, situated near Syria.
US defense officials also say several navy destroyers have been deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean to be used against Syria upon an order of President Barack Obama.
“[The destroyers] are in position if needed, but they, to my knowledge, have received no tasking to this point, and that would come obviously from the White House,” an American military official said on condition of anonymity.
Damascus later allowed UN chemical weapons inspectors to the site of the chemical weapons attack near the Syrian capital on Monday, when they began taking samples from the victims.
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PressTV - West, Arab leaders reach ?consensus? on Syria attack
UK gathers warplanes, military hardware in Cyprus base near Syria – report
Published time: August 27, 2013 00:27
Edited time: August 27, 2013 16:28
“Warplanes and military transporters” have reportedly been moved to Britain’s Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus in the latest sign of the allied forces’ preparations for a military strike on Syria amid bellicose rhetoric against the Syrian government.
Akrotiri airbase is less than 100 miles from Syria, making it a likely hub for a bombing campaign. Residents near the airfield confirmed to the Guardian that “activity there has been much higher than normal over the past 48 hours.”
UK Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday recalled members of parliament from their summer break for an urgent discussion. The session is due to be held on Thursday to vote on a possible military response to the alleged chemical attack in Syria.
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UK gathers warplanes, military hardware in Cyprus base near Syria ? report ? RT News
Syria FM: Foreign strike 'would not stop' fight against terrorists
Published time: August 27, 2013 11:18
Edited time: August 27, 2013 12:29
Syrian army soldiers are seen deployed in the Jobar neighbourhood of Damascus on August 24, 2013. (AFP Photo)
Despite threats of international intervention, Damascus will continue its military efforts against the rebels, Syria’s Foreign Minister has said. Decrying plans for a foreign strike as “deluded,” he said any attempt to hinder the Syrian army would fail.
A handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on June 24, 2013, shows Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem speaking during a televised press conference in the capital Damascus. (AFP Photo)
Muallem said that regardless of any strike on Syria, the army would continue its fight against the rebels.
“The [government's] military effort will not stop around Damascus. If the purpose is to limit the victories of our armed forces, they will not be successful,” said Muallem, adding that a foreign strike would only play into the hands of Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist groups operating in Syria.
He described the use of chemical weapons as an excuse for foreign powers to intervene and warned Syria would retaliate if attacked.
"We have two options: either to surrender, or to defend ourselves with the means at our disposal. The second choice is the best: we will defend ourselves," Muallem said at the televised news conference.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron stated on Tuesday that parliament has been recalled from its summer recess to make "a clear Govt motion & vote on UK response to chemical weapons attacks."
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Syria FM: Foreign strike 'would not stop' fight against terrorists ? RT News
Russia ‘regrets’ US decision to shelve Syria talks
Published time: August 27, 2013 09:29
Edited time: August 27, 2013 16:55
Moscow has voiced “regret” over a US decision to put off bilateral talks over Syria. Russia has sought to placate calls for military action over the alleged use of chemical weapons, saying there is no evidence of the Assad regime’s complicity.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov tweeted a response to the move Tuesday morning, expressing concern over Washington’s decision.
“It is a pity that our western partners have decided to cancel the bilateral US-Russian meeting to discuss calls for an international conference on Syria,” Gatilov wrote on Twitter. He added in a later post that discussing terms for a political solution were needed now more than ever in the face of possible military intervention in Syria.
Russia on Tuesday warned a military intervention in Syria could have "catastrophic consequences" for the whole region and called on the international community to show "prudence."
"Attempts to bypass the Security Council, once again to create artificial groundless excuses for a military intervention in the region are fraught with new suffering in Syria and catastrophic consequences for other countries of the Middle East and North Africa," foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said in a statement. "We are calling on our American partners and all members of the world community to demonstrate prudence (and) strict observance of international law, especially the fundamental principles of the UN Charter," he added.
Meanwhile, the UN weapons inspectors are due to start their second day of investigations in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta, where the toxic attack happened last Wednesday. The team’s convoy of vehicles came under fire from unknown assailants Monday as they visited the area.
In spite of the sniper attack, the team managed to collect samples for analysis and gather witness testimonies at a local hospital. Contradicting claims from the US and UK that the probe was too late to yield accurate results, the UN stressed the mission was still valid, although almost a week has passed since the supposed attack.
The alleged attack took place last Wednesday in an eastern suburb of Syria’s capital. Media published conflicting reports on the death toll, ranging from “dozens” to over 1,300 dead. French charity Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) put the death toll at about 355.
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Russia ?regrets? US decision to shelve Syria talks ? RT News
امریکی افواج شام کیخلاف کاروائی کیلیے تیار ہیں: امریکی وزیر دفاع
واشنگٹن: (دنیا نیوز
امریکی وزیر دفاع چک ہیگل نے کہا ہے کے امریکی افواج شام کیخلاف کاروائی کیلیے تیار ہیں صرف صدر اوبامہ کے حکم کا انتظار ہے۔
غیر ملکی ٹی وی چینل کو انٹرویو دیتے ہوئے امریکی وزیر دفاع چک ہیگل نے کہا ہے کہ امریکہ شام کیخلاف کسی بھی فوجی کاروائی کیلیے تیار ہے جونہی صدر اوبامہ افواج کو حکم دینگے شام کیخلاف کاروائی کا آغاز ہو جائے گا۔ اس سلسلے میں تمام تیاریاں پہلے ہی مکمل کر لی گئی ہیں۔ چک ہیگل کا کہنا تھا کہ شام میں معصوم عوام پر کیمیائی ہتھیاروں کا استعمال جنگی جرم ہے اور مجرم کو سزا دینا ضروری ہے۔
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