US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congress on Thursday he believed there was a chemical attack in Syria.
U. S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis awaits the arrival of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani for an Enhanced Honor Cordon and meeting at the Pentagon in Washington, U. S., April 9,2018.
REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U. S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congress on Thursday he believed there was a chemical attack in Syria and that the United States wanted inspectors on the ground to collect evidence, warning that job became more difficult as time passes.
“I believe there was a chemical attack and we are looking for the actual evidence,” Mattis told a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee, warning one of his top concerns about any U. S. military strike was preventing an “out-of-control” escalation in that country’s war, in which Russia, Iran, Turkey and others have taken sides.
Mattis also accused Russia of being complicit in Syria’s retention of chemical weapons, despite a 2013 deal requiring Syria to abandon them that Moscow helped broker.
(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali)
