The Syrian government’s military has been placed on high alert after President Trump threatened military action in response to a suspected chemical attack, The Associated Press reported.
Trump threatened to “forcefully” respond to the chemical attack in the Damascus suburb of Douma that left more than 40 people dead. He added that Russia and Iran bear responsibility for the attack because of their support for Syrian President Bashar Assad in the country’s years-long civil war.
A Lebanese politician with links to the Syrian government told the AP that Syria is taking precautionary measures throughout the country in anticipation of a limited strike from the U.S.
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The Syrian government has invited an international chemical weapons watchdog group, the Organization for the Protection of Chemical Weapons, to go to Syria to investigate the alleged chemical attack, the AP reported.
Russia has said it is willing to help arrange a visit to Douma for the organization’s experts.
Syria and Russia have denied Syrian opposition activists’ claims that the Syrian government is responsible for the chemical attack and have even questioned whether it actually happened.
Trump canceled a scheduled visit to South America later this week to stay in the U.S. to manage the response to the Syrian conflict.
Missile strikes hit a Syrian air base after the chemical weapon attack. The U.S. has denied carrying out the attack, while some suspect Israel, who does not comment on its operations in Syria, was responsible.