US warns of action in Syria as it pushes new ceasefire

Nikki Haley circulates draft resolution calling for 30-day truce in Eastern Ghouta, threatens response to chemical attacks

United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks at a Security Council meeting on the the situation in Syria at the United Nations, on March 12, 2018, in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP)
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks at a Security Council meeting on the the situation in Syria at the United Nations, on March 12, 2018, in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP)

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — The United States on Monday warned that it was ready to act in Syria, if needed, to end chemical attacks and “inhuman suffering,” as it pushed for a new 30-day ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley told the UN Security Council that a ceasefire approved two weeks ago “has failed,” and circulated a new draft resolution calling for a 30-day truce in the rebel enclave and Damascus.

“This is no ceasefire. This is the Assad regime, Iran, and Russia continuing to wage war against their political opponents,” Haley said.

The US ambassador recalled that US President Donald Trump had ordered missile strikes on a Syrian air base in April last year in retaliation for a sarin gas attack blamed on President Bashar Assad’s forces.

“We also warn any nation that is determined to impose its will through chemical attacks and inhuman suffering, most especially the outlaw Syrian regime: the United States remains prepared to act if we must,” Haley said.

Smoke billows, following Syrian government bombardment on the rebel-held besieged town of Harasta, in the Eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of Damascus on March 12, 2018. (AFP PHOTO)

The US-drafted text seen by AFP would decide on a 30-day cessation of hostilities throughout Eastern Ghouta and Damascus City to begin immediately upon adoption.

The draft resolution would allow “safe, unimpeded and sustained access” for humanitarian aid convoys and “safe, unconditional, medical evacuations in Eastern Ghouta.”

Haley said the text “provides no room for evasion,” after accusing Russia of voting in favor of the ceasefire resolution and immediately disregarding it.

Russia carried out at least 20 daily bombing missions in Damascus and Eastern Ghouta in the first four days following the adoption of the resolution, Haley said.

Russia defends Ghouta offensive

On Monday, Syrian forces pounded two rebel towns in Eastern Ghouta, pressing on with a Russia-backed offensive that has so far allowed government fighters to retake nearly 60 percent of the enclave.

At least 1,162 civilians have been killed, including 241 children, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

More than 1,000 people, including many children, are in urgent need of evacuation, according to the United Nations.

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia addresses the assembly during a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria at the United Nations on March 12, 2018 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP)

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia hit back at the United States and its allies for “doing nothing but constantly blaming the Syrian regime and putting demands on Russia.”

Nebenzia defended the Syrian offensive in Eastern Ghouta as a legitimate counter-terror operation.

“The government of Syria has every right to try to remove the threat to the safety of its citizens,” the Russian ambassador said.

“The suburbs of Damascus cannot remain a hotbed of terrorism.”

The ceasefire resolution was never intended to put in place an immediate truce, he said.

“What we are talking about is a preliminary agreement among the parties as a preconditon for sustained de-escalation in all difficult areas of Syria, not only Eastern Ghouta,” he said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the council that air strikes, shelling and ground offensives had intensified in Eastern Ghouta since the ceasefire resolution was adopted on February 24.

French Ambassador Francois Delattre piled pressure on Russia to halt operations, and push the Syrian government to end its offensive, saying, “Russia can stop the bloodbath.”

“We all know that Russia has not been able or willing to stop this military offensive yet,” he told reporters ahead of the meeting.

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