The initial U.S. government assessment of the chemical attack in Syria has concluded that some type of nerve agent was used - however the specific agent used is unknown, government sources told Reuters, adding that the U.S. government "had not yet conclusively determined whether the attack was carried out by President Bashar al-Assad's Syrian government forces."
The revelation makes Israel's Monday morning strike on Syrian military positions known to house Russian forces all the more troubling, as this appears to be yet another kneejerk rush by the West to conduct major foreign policy maneuvers based on contested events before all the facts are in.
8) So- Trump announces Syria troop withdrawal and within days we are to believe that Assad launches a massive chemical attack on his own civilians?
— Falco (@Nick_Falco) April 8, 2018
Does this seem like a very rational decision??🤔#NoWarInSyria
Why would Assad do the one thing that would surely backfire on him, his family & friends? Why would he sabotage their hard-won goals & put their lives at risk at a time of maximum power?
— Max Abrahms (@MaxAbrahms) April 9, 2018
The answer of most Western commentators is simple -- because Assad is an irrational idiot.
Following last April's Kahn Shaykhun chemical attack in Syria, President Trump notably launched 59 Tomahawk missiles within 48 hours of the incident despite conflicting reports pouring in from several sources over key details.
Bear in mind that nearly all the information and physical evidence available from the attack site in Syria has come from anti-Assad sources linked to al-Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra, which controls the area. This includes the so-called White Helmets, who are opposition surrogates. The established narrative derives from this material as well as from bipartisan assertions of Assad’s “certain” guilt, even from normally liberal Democrats, which are being presented as fact. -American Conservative
The West has similarly imposed a variety of sanctions on Russia after determining that the Kremlin was behind the March 4 poisoning of former double-agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, UK. In fact, the chief scientist from the UK's Porton Down military laboratory facility, Gary Aitkenhead, told Sky News (in a statement which was later retracted) that they had been unable to prove that the novichok nerve agent used to poison Sergei and Yulia Skripal came from Russia.
#Salisbury attack: Scientists have not been able to prove that Russia made the nerve agent used in the spy poisoning. Porton Down lab's chief exec reveals the details in this interview pic.twitter.com/qFNgPlr6vS
— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 3, 2018
"We were able to identify it as novichok, to identify that it was military-grade nerve agent," Aitkenhead said. "We have not identified the precise source, but we have provided the scientific info to government who have then used a number of other sources to piece together the conclusions you have come to."
Aitkenhead added: "It is our job to provide the scientific evidence of what this particular nerve agent is, we identified that it is from this particular family and that it is a military grade, but it is not our job to say where it was manufactured."
Considering that, according to The Telegraph, Skripal has reported ties to former MI6 agent Christopher Steele, and the UK's own chemical experts can't identify the source of the poison, further investigation is clearly warranted before slapping sanctions around.
So while the UK moves to aggressively disarm their citizens - recently going on an "anti-knife" campaign, they are at the same time provoking a potentially far deadlier conflict with a nuclear superpower using flimsy evidence.
US "will respond" to chemical attack
Following the Syrian chemical attack, US Ambassador Nikki Haley stated "I could hold up pictures of babies lying dead next to their mothers, in their diapers, all lying together, dead, ashen blue, open eyed and lifeless, white foam bubbling from their mouths and noses" concerning the so-called chemical attack. She claimed that the use of chemical weapons in Syria is becoming "normalized."
Haley added that the US "will respond" to uses of these weapons.
"We are at the edge of a dangerous precipice… we have reached the moment where the world must see justice done." -Nikki Haley
Meanwhile, President Trump tweeted several statements regarding the alleged attack as if it was already confirmed, just as one would expect to accelerate the escalation:
Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018
....to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018
The US also said yet again that Russia is "ultimately bearing responsibility" for all chemical incidents in Syria, regardless of who carried them out, after rebel sources accused Damascus of gassing dozens in Eastern Ghouta's Douma. In other words, even if the "chemical attack" was carried out by US-backed "rebels", or better yet "ISIS", it's Putin's fault.
"The regime's history of using chemical weapons against its own people is not in dispute," said the US State Department, indicating, however, that it was relying on "reports," being unable to confirm the incident. "Russia ultimately bears responsibility for the brutal targeting of countless Syrians with chemical weapons."
UN Security Council meets
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council met on Monday to discuss the latest developments - said Staffen de Mistura, the UN Special Envoy to Syria. "Recent developments carry more than ever before" the risks contained within the multiple "fault lines in the Middle East" that could have "absolutely devastating consequences, which are difficult to even imagine," the official said, underscoring the possibility that the crisis in Syria may spiral into a larger international security crisis.
"The United Nations is unable to independently verify or attribute responsibility for this attack, but we have all parties to show utmost restraint and avoid any further escalation or confrontation," de Mistura said.
In other words - let's first chat about that chemical attack before WWIII breaks out.
Russia says Syria chemical attack is a fabrication
Unsurprisingly, Russian officials say they have found no trace of chemical weapons use while searching through Syria's Douma region - and say that photos of victims posted by the White Helmets are fabrications, according to Russia's Defense Ministry.
Horrific images out of besieged Douma tonight of a suspected Chlorine attack by the Assad regime. Medical services on the ground say 35 confirmed dead, treating more than 700 for exposure. pic.twitter.com/OfveWyeg5D
— Tobias Schneider (@tobiaschneider) April 7, 2018
The specialists “found no traces of the use of chemical agents” after searching the sites, the statement said. The center’s medical specialists also visited a local hospital but found no patients that showed signs of chemical weapons poisoning. “All these facts show… that no chemical weapons were used in the town of Douma, as it was claimed by the White Helmets,” the statement said, referring to the controversial “civil defense” group that was among the first to report about the alleged attack.
“All the accusations brought by the White Helmets, as well as their photos… allegedly showing the victims of the chemical attack, are nothing more than a yet another piece of fake news and an attempt to disrupt the ceasefire,” the Reconciliation Center said. -RT
As well documented by Disobedient Media and elsewhere, the White Helmets are an organization funded by the United States which operates throughout various regions within Syria to "help" the anti-Assad effort while snapping convenient photos of Assad's alleged regime-change-worthy atrocities.
#WhiteHelmets psywar continues. Embedded with Al Nusra/Al Qaeda, funded by UK,US,Holland, EU over $ 60m. pic.twitter.com/lB78N0FOUr
— vanessa beeley (@VanessaBeeley) September 8, 2016
The Syrian Civil Defense Force (aka the White Helmets) is funded in part by United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Included here are two links showing contracts awarded by USAID to Chemonics International Inc. (DBA Chemonics). The first award was in the sum of $111.2 million and has a Period of Performance (POP) from January 2013 to June 2017. It states that the purpose of the award will be to use the funds for managing a “quick-response mechanism supporting activities that pursue a peaceful transition to a democratic and stable Syria.” The second was in the sum of $57.4 million and has a POP from August 2015 to August 2020. This award was designated to be used in the “Syria Regional Program II” which is a part of the Support Which Implements Fast Transitions IV (SWIFT IV) program.
This funding was used, if not entirely, then in part to finance the White Helmets. The Syrian Civil Defense Force website lists Chemonics as its primary supporter alongside NGO Mayday Rescue, who operate out of offices in Turkey, Jordan and Dubai.
**
Of course, that didn't stop Netflix from producing an Academy Award winning documentary about the White Helmets. We're sure recently added board member and former Obama National Security Advisor Susan Rice is happy considering all of the taxpayer money the previous administration spent funding the group.
Comments
the zionazis have won. prepare for war....hopefully at home.
Sure, why not?
Remember when we sided with government forces against terrorists?
Neither do I.
In reply to the zionazis have won… by besnook
https://uk.reuters.com/article/mideast-crisis-syria-un-russia/russia-sa…
Elijah J. Magnier
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/983376713437630466.html
Staged chemical attack by White Helmets:
https://twitter.com/syria_true/status/983342856248156160
https://twitter.com/Thee_BTK/status/983288349329969153
In reply to Sure, why not? by toady
What. The. Fuck.
In reply to Russian U.N. Ambassador… by JSBach1
This is what happens when facts no longer matter. It is all about the narrative and telling whatever lies are needed to get where you want to go. I sincerely hope the Russians prevail. It seems like they are the only honest people left.
In reply to What. The. Fuck. by Gaius Frakkin'…
I need TMosley to explain the art of this deal to me...
In reply to This is what happens when… by EuroPox
Oh I'm sure he, Billy, BoR, and peak finance will shortly.
In reply to I need TMosley to explain… by DingleBarryObummer
yes, they will get out out the kleenex and jergens hand lotion and have a Trump worship session
In reply to Oh I'm sure he, Billy, BoR,… by dirty fingernails
Saturate Syria with S-400 batteries.
That effort will cool the rhetoric, and act as a governor for aggressive minds.
In reply to yes, they will get out out… by DingleBarryObummer
Well, Assad is murderous scumbag in need of a good pummeling no matter what. So fuck 'em.
In reply to Saturate Syria with S-400… by Richard III
Well we can send you the bill for that, ok?
In reply to Well, Assad is murderous… by yomutti2
"the world must see justice done." -Nikki Haley
Hey NIKKI, you're so fine you're so fine you blow my mind hey Nikki,
when will there be JUSTICE for Palestinian Victims of Israhell?
WARNING: Graphic Images
In reply to We'll we can send you the… by DingleBarryObummer
For once I agree with this lying Waffle House bimbo. Justice, indeed, must be done:
https://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/6841/40899957.54/0_86ebf_58f46be2_XXXL
In reply to lol by beepbop
Regime Change in Syria has been on the table (State/NSA/CIA/Brookings), for years. Now the “Agencies”, rising to something above human scale, are stepping out and taking us on a dangerous adventure, to realize their dark and unrealistic goals.
We know that “regime change” (i.e. killing Assad) is only .00001% of any beginning that “changes” Syria for the good of the people. This will not happen. They will celebrate his death, pass out awards, give promotions and the people of Syria will struggle in rubble. (Those that do not become refugees to another country, possibly the US.)
This will prove another shame, in the name of humanity, a greater Israel, and some God they claim that I could not possibly want to know.
President Trump: Please tell us the expected end result of our adventure in Syria. You are very intelligent, as you say, so that should be real easy for you. Or is it you don't want to tell us something we don't want to hear so you remain quiet, lie in silence? Do something no other president has, tell us why we are there and what the expectations are. Something we can measure.
Haley: "the world must see justice done"? meaning, we don't know who did it but we are going to hang a few locals for justice. Village of Lidice come to mind Nikki?
In reply to … by Shemp 4 Victory
"Israel's Monday morning strike on Syrian military positions"
"Two Israeli Air Force F-15 jets fired eight guided missiles at the T-4 airfield."
This doesn't sound right to me.
Eight (necessarily small) missiles (let alone three) aren't going to do much (except possibly start a big shooting war).
This doesn't have "the ring of truth".
More believable is that someone gave missiles to their ISIS/terrorist friends to fire at the base.
FALSE NEWS.
In reply to Regime Change in Syria has… by two hoots
Mossad...Zionklon B²®
In reply to this is truly ridiculous by Slack Jack
"The true motive behind the wars in the Middle East is to maintain the US dollar as Reserve Currency and the Petrodollar as the unit of value for a barrel of oil. thus financing the US economy and its Military enforcement machine.
Russia and China have been dumping their US Treasury Bonds slowly and now trade between themselves in Gold, Yuan and rubles.
They have formed a new Financial system with the AIIB (Asian investment and Infrastructure Bank). They have formed a new Bank Clearing System, separate from SWIFT. They have their own credit card systems.
China is building the NEW SILK ROADS and sea arteries to connect the countries of ASIA to Europe. Trade along these routes will be in local currencies, bypassing the dollar.
The Silk Roads by-pass the US Navy’s control of the sea route choke points and make their carrier fleets largely redundant as enforcement tools..
For the Washington war machine, Syria is but a stop along the road to Iran, then up into Central Asia to cut and control the Silk Road and impose the US dollar toll charge.
The New Silk Roads spell the end of the US dollar as the dominant currency and the end of the US military and Financial hegemon.
Thus Syria is a major pivot point in World History and will be a war to the end. Empires die slowly and usually decay from within, but this may not be the case with the neocon psychopaths reluctant to concede power.
There are other US allies with interests in subduing Syria; Saudi and Qatar to build their gas pipeline to the Meditterean and onto the European Market, this undermines Russian near monopoly of supply and will undermine their already fragile economy.
Turkey with its grab for the corridor to the oilfields of Mosul and subjugation of its rebellious Kurds.
Israel and its Oded Yinon plan to break-up Syria and grab land, also to cut the Shia Crescent connecting Iran to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
European countries who are reliant on Russian gas energy supplies and wish to have another supply source from the Gulf States.
So there are many countries ready to feed on the carcass of Syria, if it is defeated."
In reply to … by Shemp 4 Victory
If the shit with no brainers topple Assad there won't be a pipeline through Syria in your lifetime. Afghanistan on steroids. A great many of the European countries have no problem getting their gas from Russia. Russians, unlike Americans, keep their word and don't bullshit you. Wanting a back up supplier isn't about the not trusting the Russians but about the US and it's lapdogs fucking up Russia or the pipelines thus disrupting the gas supply. Next on Bolton's list is to create "Russian dissidents" to blow up Nordstream 2 and Southstream pipelines and eventually the ones with gas in them. One wild card is that recently the top Iraqi said they were going to kick ISIS and it's pals ass's even if they have to go into Syria to do it.
In reply to "The true motive behind the… by Chupacabra-322
Excellent
In reply to "The true motive behind the… by Chupacabra-322
Now you be careful talking about the Waffle House, you hear? It have a better class of bimbo than Nikki Hindu are.
In reply to … by Shemp 4 Victory
+10000 up votes on that if I could.
In reply to … by Shemp 4 Victory
Also missing from the conversation, did Russia not say several weeks ago that this exact thing was going to happen? I seem to recall them saying US backed rebels were in possession of chemical weapons precursors and were planning an attack to blame on the Syrian government as a way of provoking a US response. Are we to believe the US government isn't keenly aware of all of this? So, they think we are stupid.
Well, shit. In fairness to their "our people are too stupid to see through this bullshit story" belief, they are probably right.
In reply to lol by beepbop
Doesn't matter what Russia or Syria says or how they play by the book.
Israhell wants its war, Israhell will get it.
In reply to Also missing from the… by greenskeeper carl
Yes, many times.
February 13 (also explains why chlorine is ineffective as a chemical weapon)
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2018/02/syria-new-chemical-weapons-fake-pl…
February 26
https://www.rt.com/news/419805-ghouta-militants-shelling-provocations/
March 10
https://www.rt.com/news/420948-ghouta-false-flag-chemical-attack/
March 12
Russia's envoy to the UN reports that, "on March 5, Al-Nusra militants used chorine substance in Eastern Ghouta, which injured 30 civilians."
https://www.rt.com/news/421074-russian-envoy-un-ghouta/
March 13
SAA Discovers Chemical Plant Used by Militants
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803141062501227-syria-chemical-pl…
March 17
http://thesaker.is/russian-mod-warn-us-is-preparing-a-chemical-false-fl…
April 7
https://southfront.org/russian-general-staff-militants-plotting-chemica…
Aware of it? Hell, the US government ordered it.
In reply to Also missing from the… by greenskeeper carl
The False Flag Operation of 911 was the biggest Psychological Operation to be conducted upon the Psyche & Mindset of the Global Masses.
These Pure Evil War Criminal Deep State Psychopaths have even Blurred what the original Scripted False Narrative of Al CIA da attacking us was & the subsequent "War on Terror" Narrative.
The Criminal Fraud UNITED DEEP STATE, CORP. INC. now openly arms, funds & train the exact same I CIA SIS Terror Organizations they claim to protect The American People from.
There are profits in Treasonous Pure Evil War Crimes. That pipeline is the Profit Motive as well as continued Criminal US Hedgemony of Vassal States & survival of the Ponzi Criminal US Petroleum Dollar.
Installing Central Banking, Killing Christians, Speading Sunni Extreme Wahhabism & spread of the Callifate is an added bonus.
In reply to … by Shemp 4 Victory
Wow. Russia's Ambassador to the UN delivers body blow to the zio-cons.
“We are not particularly keen to be friends with you (the west)….what we want from you is basically nothing…normal civilized relations, which you arrogantly refuse, disregarding basic courtesies. You are misguided if you think you have friends. The so-called friends of yours are only those who cannot say no to you. This is the soul criteria for friendship in your understanding.”
Compare the above eloquence to that yapping dog Nikky Haley.
http://www.eurasiafuture.com/2018/04/09/russias-un-ambassador-nebenzya-…
In reply to Also missing from the… by greenskeeper carl
LOL! This was awesome.
In reply to Wow. Russia's Ambassador to… by spyware-free
I DO remember that now.
In reply to Also missing from the… by greenskeeper carl
The first time the Trumpster sent missiles into Syria after a "gas attack" our pals the Israeli's were on a killing rampage of Palestinians. Israel is now on another killing rampage of Palestinians so they need another gas attack and missiles flying to deflect the bad press Israel is getting. Of course the pathetic excuse that calls itself the media will fall into line. Yet most of the clowns that went into journalism claimed they wanted to use their position to make the world a better place. Instead they sold their souls.
In reply to lol by beepbop
Right! David Hogg wants to be a journalist so he can make the world a better place. . .in the image of David Hogg's vision of a better world. Call it David Hogg's dystopia.
There used to be critters called reporters who scampered, ran and dug for news. They didn't go to school to learn "journalism", to be brainwashed by "journalism" professors; they got out in the line of fire and reported the truth.
Ah, well! So much for nostalgia.
In reply to The first time the Trumpster… by not dead yet
"The Trumpster"? I that supposed to be cute? More like Ziodump. Best is Zioturd. As in, Flush the Zioturd now!
In reply to The first time the Trumpster… by not dead yet
Hey Nikki, Motley Crue wants its fake name back.
In reply to lol by beepbop
How many sheckels do you get per post? Asking for a friend.
In reply to Well, Assad is murderous… by yomutti2
The Hebrew Mind Tricks aren't working any more- Israel is no longer seen as a gutsy little underdog but as a bullying belligerent drunk on power
In reply to Well, Assad is murderous… by yomutti2
Do you mean to say that God's Chosen People will not be permitted to continue committing heinous war crimes and atrocities against innocent civilian populations, with absolutely no accountability?
/sarc
In reply to The Hebrew Mind Tricks aren… by Juggernaut x2
Great. You can lead the charge there, Sgt. Rock.
In reply to Well, Assad is murderous… by yomutti2
Hello there, Sean Hannity!
In reply to Well, Assad is murderous… by yomutti2
Hannity's big weakness is that he has absolutely not a clue about Russia. He keeps painting them as the bad guy and bet tonight won't be any different.
In reply to Hello there, Sean Hannity! by serotonindumptruck
That's why Hannity's net worth is equivalent to the GDP of many third world nations.
There should be little doubt that Hannity and his spawn have a super-elite nuclear fallout bunker to run to.
In reply to Hannity's big weakness is… by FoggyWorld
Neither money nor a bunker will protect the neocon scum if they pull this one off. Guaran-fucking-teed. Hannity is the epitome of a crass fucking coward.
In reply to That's why Hannity's net… by serotonindumptruck
I have always said that Hannity is not that bright. I could never really listen to him, even if I agreed with him. He's basically a guy who is into bullet points. No need for deeper thought; just keep pounding those short sentences in, over and over and over again.
In reply to Hannity's big weakness is… by FoggyWorld
Your kosher asshole is in need of a good pummeling from my Syrian dick.
In reply to Well, Assad is murderous… by yomutti2
He might like that too much. Might I suggest a broomstick wrapped with coarse-grit emory cloth?
In reply to Your kosher asshole is in… by chumbawamba
Yo Mutt. I will fuck you first, then pound your mother into smithereens for good measure, you worthless Talmudic scum.
From your worst nightmare,
A dedicated Christian.
In reply to Well, Assad is murderous… by yomutti2
Remember wack a mole. Your a perfect representation of that stupid game. You pop up just to get wacked down you wacky trumpturd.
Now start packin your bags and get yer ass over there. Show how a true simpleton can fight for IsraHell. Hurry up fukwit.
In reply to Well, Assad is murderous… by yomutti2
Go fuck yourself asshole.
/no sarc.
In reply to Well, Assad is murderous… by yomutti2
Those "horrific" images of bodies are a bit odd. Dead bodies usually look pale, grey, and blue with characteristics of pooled blood, urination and defecation. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the only death which leaves body coloration looking okay.
In reply to yes, they will get out out… by DingleBarryObummer
Hey Fucker.
In reply to yes, they will get out out… by DingleBarryObummer
There is NOTHING to explain to you retards because NOTHING has happened yet, all just "blah blah blah"
IF Trump bombs anything other than another empty airfield please let me know
Now back to your hysterics
In reply to yes, they will get out out… by DingleBarryObummer
While you still sniff your collection of Hillary's soiled panties... you pathetic snowflake douchebag.
In reply to yes, they will get out out… by DingleBarryObummer
Pagination