World War 3: Theresa May DEMANDS Assad is held to account as Syria conflict tensions SURGE
WORLD WAR 3 fears are increasing as Prime Minister Theresa May issued her most direct threat yet to the Assad regime and pledged to support the US.
The perpetrators of the “appalling” chemical attack on the Syrian city of Douma must be “held to account” the Theresa May has said, as tensions flare over the international response to Saturday’s atrocity that left more than 40 dead.
With Moscow threatening to retailiate if military action is taken, fears are rising that the stand-off could spiral into World War 3.
Speaking to Channel 4 News, the Prime Minister said: “The first stage is for us to be assessing with our partners and allies what has actually happened in Syria on the ground.”
“Obviously what we’ve seen is a chemical weapons attack, an appalling chemical weapons attack.“
“If this is the responsibility of the Assad regime then it is another example of the irresponsibility and brazen disregard he shows for his people.”
Channel 4, Getty
“And we believe that those responsible should be held to account.”
Mrs May’s comments will be interpreted as a show of support to American President Donald Trump, who on Sunday threatened to take military action against Syrian despot Bashar al-Assad, who he described as an “animal” . He said on Monday that the US would decide on its response in 48 hours, hinting that there will be a “big price to pay”.
Theresa May spoke to Trump over the phone on Tuesday afternoon to discuss their joint response to the attack.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “They agreed that reports of a chemical weapons attack in Syria were utterly reprehensible and if confirmed, represented further evidence of the Assad regime’s appalling cruelty against its own people and total disregard for its legal obligations not to use these weapons.”
A spokesperson for the President said: “Both leaders condemned Syrian President Assad’s vicious disregard for human life. The president and Prime Minister agreed not to allow the use of chemical weapons to continue.”
But the picture has been complicated this week by Russia’s vocal support for the Assad regime.
On Tuesday, Russia vetoed a UN proposal to set up an investigation into the use of chemical weapons in Syria, the twelfth time it has used its veto to block action regarding Syria. Only Bolivia joined Russia in voting against the measure, while China abstained. Britain’s ambassador said Moscow had “crossed a line in the international order”.
Russia and Syria have both denied involvement in the incident in the rebel-held town of eastern Ghouta near Damascus.