Syrian troops on alert amid fear of US strike after attack

Syrian government forces and their allies are on alert and taking precautionary measures at military bases and posts across the country amid fears of a US strike in the aftermath of a chemical weapons attack attributed to the regime, Syrian war monitors say.

The measures come as US President Donald Trump is threatening an imminent military strike against Syria, vowing to respond “forcefully” to Saturday’s apparent chemical weapons attack on civilians near Damascus and warning that Russia — or any other nation found to share responsibility — will “pay a price.”

This photo released by the Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets shows smoke rising after Syrian government airstrikes hit in the town of Douma, in the eastern Ghouta region east of Damascus, Syria, Saturday, April 7, 2018. (Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP)

Syrian opposition activists say 40 people died in Saturday night’s chemical attack in the town of Douma, the last remaining rebel bastion just outside of the Syrian capital, Damascus. The opposition blames Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces for the attack, accusations the government and its Russian backers strongly deny.

— AP