U.S. denies reports of American airstrikes on Syrian regime airfield
U.S. officials are denying reports that their military launched missile and air strikes targeting a Syrian government airfield.
Syrian state television reported that several missiles struck the T-4 airfield in the city of Homs in the early hours of Monday, killing several people. It said Syrian air defence forces shot down eight other missiles.
But U.S. officials said their military was not conducting air strikes in Syria. The Pentagon said it was watching the situation closely.
READ MORE: Syrian government accused of chemical attack on rebels in Damascus killing at least 40
U.S. President Donald Trump had warned earlier Sunday that there would be a “big price to pay” for the Syrian government’s alleged chemical attack on the rebel-hold town of Douma.
Civilian first responders said that over 40 people were asphyxiated in the attack, including several children.
U.S. authorities said their assessment of events in Douma led them to conclude that chemical weapons were used. The sources said their determination was made with some degree of confidence, although they stopped short of assigning blame for the attack.
A top White House aide refused to rule out the possibly of a U.S. missile strike, saying, “I wouldn’t take anything off the table.”
READ MORE: Trump ’emboldened’ Syria chemical attack by talking U.S. troop withdrawal, says Sen. John McCain
Last year, the U.S. launched 59 Tomahawk missiles on the Syrian government’s Shayrat Airbase, in retaliation to a deadly chemical attack in the town of Khan Shaykhun.