Strike on Damascus Comes Just as Syria Got Chance for Peaceful Future – Moscow

Damascus has come under attack by the US, France and the UK at a time when Syria is returning to peaceful life, after battling a terrorist aggression for years, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said, as it condemned the attack, RT reported.

 “First, the Syrian people was subjected to [Arab Spring], then the so-called Islamic State [IS, formerly ISIS, ISIL], now to ‘smart’ American missiles. A strike was carried out on the capital of a sovereign state, which for many years has been trying to survive under the threat of terror,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.

She blamed “all those who claim moral leadership in this world, who declare their exceptionalism” for the attack, noting that “you should be really exceptional” to attack Syria at a time “when it was given a chance for a peaceful future.”

Zakharova also accused the American and other mainstream media of inciting the attack, noting that the White House’s decision to launch a strike was based on media reports, photo and video shared on the Internet and spread online.

 “15 years ago, the White House used a vial and its Secretary of State. Now Washington has used the media instead of the vial,” she said, referring to the 2003 US invasion in Iraq and then-Secretary of State Colin Powell’s “anthrax vial” demonstration to illustrate the allegations that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. None were ultimately found in Iraq.

Strike on Syria won’t remain without consequences – Russian Ambassador to US

The Russian Ambassador to the US has warned of “consequences” after the US and its allies launched a coordinated military action against Syria.

Russia feels threatened by the US decision to strike Syrian targets in retaliation for the alleged chemical attack in Douma on April 7, which Moscow believes was staged.

“A pre-designed scenario is being implemented. Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences,” Anatoly Antonov said in a statement on Friday night. “All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris.”

Earlier, US President Donald Trump ordered a military strike against Syria.

In a televised address from the White House on Friday evening, Trump said he ordered the United States Armed Forces to launch “precision” strikes on targets associated with what he called “chemical weapons capabilities” of Syria.

US officials said that Tomahawk cruise missiles and other types of bombs were used in the attack, with UK’s Defense Ministry saying that four RAF tornado jets also took part in the strike, according to Press TV.

British Prime Minister Theresa May also said she authorized the British armed forces to conduct coordinated and targeted strikes, noting that she has done so because she judges this action to be in Britain’s “national interest”.

US Defense Minister Jim Mattis announced the end of the aggression on Syria, saying that there is no plan to launch additional attacks.

H.M