Haley Condemns Russia over Syria, Not ruling out Taking Action Over Chemical Attacks on Civilians

March 13, 2018 Focus Washington Foreign Policy

The United States ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, warned in an address to the Security Council Monday that the U.S. could take action in the face of more chemical attacks, Fox News reports.

Haley’s comments to the Security Council came at a briefing on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2401 regarding the Syrian humanitarian ceasefire.

Secretary General António Guterres clearly stated that, “there has been no cessation of hostilities.”

Haley once again emphasized the Trump administration’s response to fire cruise missiles against the Assad regime following its failure to act when the Syrian regime used sarin gas in a chemical attack against civilians in the town of Khan Shaykhun. That sarin gas attack by the Assad regime was the cause of nearly 60 deaths of innocent civilians, including children.

Haley’s address was the second senior voice from the Trump administration in a week aimed at raising the topic of an administration response to Syria’s constant use of chemical weapons. Last Tuesday the Director of National Intelligence, Dan Coats, addressed the Senate Armed Service Committee claiming that a response was “something that needs to be discussed.”

Haley also mentioned Russia in her address at the Security Council meeting on Monday. She claimed that although Russia “negotiated the wording of the ceasefire, down to the commas and the periods,” the country did not manage to keep its promise and support the resolution.

Haley mentioned that after the ceasefire, Russia had conducted some 20 bombing raids in Damascus and Eastern Ghouta.

“This is no ceasefire. This is the Assad regime, Iran, and Russia continuing to wage war against their political opponents. And there’s another reason we know the Syrians and Russians never intended to implement the ceasefire,” Haley told members.

The UN ambassador also outlined a new draft resolution that if adopted by the council would be immediately enforced. She said that it contained no loopholes for the Russians, Iran and Assad to hide from.