SYRIA STRIKE ACTION
Theresa May calls emergency ‘war’ Cabinet as imminent British military strikes against Bashar al-Assad loom
THERESA MAY tonight called an emergency ‘war’ Cabinet after paving the way for imminent British military strikes against Bashar al-Assad.
No.10 said the Prime Minister would meet with all of her Cabinet Ministers for crunch talks as the West stood on the brink of action against the Syrian tyrant.
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US President Donald Trump earlier stunned the world by warning Bashar al Assad’s Russian allies on Twitter to “get ready” for “nice, new and smart” US missiles.
Insiders in London suggested an attack could come “in days”.
Speaking in Birmingham, the PM said it was now clear the Syrian regime was responsible for the deadly chemical attack in Douma last weekend in a marked hardening of her language on the crisis.
She also said Russia’s “appalling” decision to veto attempts by the United Nations determine responsibility meant there was now “no role” for the body.
President Donald Trump says he'll 'forcefully' respond to an alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria
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Mrs May said: “All the indications are that the Syrian regime was responsible and we will be working with our closest allies on how we can ensure that those who are responsible are held to account.”
Slamming the “shocking and barbaric” attack that claimed the lives of at least 40 people, she said: “The use of chemical weapons cannot go unchallenged.”
Sources indicated the PM would seek Cabinet’s full support to join US President Donald Trump.
This could enable her to push ahead without the need to recall Parliament for a full Commons vote on military action.
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MPs are only due back from the Easter break on Monday.
Foreign Secrertary Boris Johnson — due in Oxford — is among those likely to have to rip up his plans.
Such a move risks a bitter backlash from Jeremy Corbyn and opposition leaders who last night demanded Parliament have a say before Britain takes part in any military alliance against Syria.
The Labour leader – a veteran anti-war campaigner – said: “Parliament should always be given a say on military action.”
Both Lib Dem chief Sir Vince Cable and the SNP echoed the demand for MPs to vote.
Sir Vince said: “The Government must present the objectives of any proposed action to Parliament.
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Children and adults are treated following reports of a deadly gas attack in the Syrian rebel enclave of Douma
“A unilateral response by any country, outside of a wider strategy, without allies is not the way forward.”
Government has no legal obligation to go to Parliament and ex-PM David Cameron lost a crushing vote on military intervention in Syria in 2013.
But Tory and Labour MPs broke cover to suggest they would back Theresa May.
Sarah Wollaston, one of 30 Tories who voted against David Cameron’s call for strikes in Syria in 2013, said she could no longer stand by as Assad’s regime slaughtered his own people.
Taking to Twitter she said: “I did not support military action in the past but chemical weapons are now being used with impunity. It is time to act to stop the use of these horrific weapons.”
Emma Reynolds, a former Labour Shadow Minister, told The Sun: “”I don’t see how you can stand by and let them do this again and again.”
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The US is expected to spearhead any military strikes with the UK and France playing an undetermined supporting role.
Sources on Wednesday claimed RAF Tornados in Cyprus were on standby for action.
The US attacked Syria with 59 Tomahawk missiles almost a year ago to the day – targeting the Shayrat air base near Homs – in response to a deadly chemical weapons attack.
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White House observers said they expected a far bigger response this time round.
Russia yesterday warned any strikes on its Syrian ally would have grave consequences.
In a chilling warning, Russia’s ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Zasypkin, said any missiles would be “downed” and the launch sites targeted.
British General Sir Richard Barrons, a former commander of Joint Forces Command, said Russia’s warnings meant “they are going to try and sink ships, sink submarines and shoot aircraft out of the sky – that’s war”.
Two Royal Navy subs laden with Tomahawk missiles were said to be heading to the region.
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