Britain Will Back US Amid Fears Of Syrian Chemical Weapons Attack

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon says the UK will support American actions against Syria following an announcement by The White House that it suspects a new attack is being planned.   

"If the Americans take similar action again, I want to be very clear, we will support it."

The United States has accused the Syrian government of preparing for a chemical weapons attack, similar to one in April in which dozens of people died.

That attack led to a US missile strike against a Syrian airbase.

"The US has identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children”

The White House added that President Assad and his military would pay “a heavy price” if chemical weapons were used again.

Sir Michael Fallon said the US had been monitoring the situation in Syria although it had not shared any specific evidence with the British Government about the preparations.

The US missile launch in April was the toughest direct strike in Syria's six-year-old civil war.

It has raised the risk of confrontation with President Assad’s two main military backers, Russia and Iran.

Syria denied it carried out the attack in April.