Several outlets reported that U.S. defense officials were taken by surprise by the statement, which was not coordinated across defense departments as is typical prior to release.
“The United States is in Syria to eliminate the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria,” press secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement. “If, however, Mr. Assad conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price.”
President Trump authorized a military strike against Syria last April after the Syrian government apparently carried out a similar attack against their own people.
The administration's statement comes at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and Syria, which is allied with both Russia and Iran. U.S. forces last week shot down a Syrian warplane that had dropped bombs near American-supported fighters, leading Russia's defense ministry to threaten to target U.S. aircraft.
“The United States is in Syria to eliminate the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria,” press secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement. “If, however, Mr. Assad conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price.”
President Trump authorized a military strike against Syria last April after the Syrian government apparently carried out a similar attack against their own people.
The administration's statement comes at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and Syria, which is allied with both Russia and Iran. U.S. forces last week shot down a Syrian warplane that had dropped bombs near American-supported fighters, leading Russia's defense ministry to threaten to target U.S. aircraft.
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