Syria threatened with 'stronger response' if it uses chemical weapons in Idlib
The main offensive may not have started yet but Syrian and Russian aircraft are hitting targets in southern Idlib, say activists.
Monday 10 September 2018 20:48, UK
Britain, France and the US have warned Syria it will suffer a "much stronger response" if it uses chemical weapons again.
There are fears that as Russian-backed Syria launches an offensive in Idlib, it may use chemical weapons in a bid to retake the province.
Airstrikes were launched by the US, Britain and France in April after the last chemical weapons attack which the regime denied.
The strikes targeted infrastructure at three sites connected to Syria's chemical weapons programme near Damascus.
Donald Trump's national security adviser John Bolton said on Monday: "We've tried to convey the message in recent days that if there's a third use of chemical weapons, the response will be much stronger.
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"I can say we've been in consultation with the British and the French, who joined us in the second strike, and they also agree that another use of chemical weapons will result in a much stronger response."
The main offensive may not have started yet but Syrian and Russian aircraft are hitting targets in southern Idlib, according to Syrian opposition activists.
It has been reported more than 30 air raids struck the south west of the province over the weekend.
Pictures filmed by activists also appear to show civilians running for cover from what were described as barrel bomb attacks.
These weapons are typically filled with high explosives and shrapnel.
The United Nations is deeply concerned.
The undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs Mark Lowcock called for renewed diplomacy.
He said: "Our top line message is there needs to be ways of dealing with this problem that doesn't turn the next few months in Idlib into the worst humanitarian catastrophe, with the biggest loss of life of the 21st century."
On Friday ceasefire talks between Russia, Iran and Turkey failed to reach a consensus - shortly afterwards warplanes attacked the small town of Khan Sheikoun.
Aid agencies fear the bombings could be the start of a wider campaign - and the implications for the civilian population are grave.
For many days there has been a build-up of Syrian armour in southern Idlib. If there is a major offensive it will undoubtedly unleash a new refugee crisis.
There are estimated to be as many as three million civilians living in the province.
The problem is if they try to flee to Turkey they will find a closed border and risk being shot if they try to cross illegally.
Alternatively they could find themselves having to escape through military lines into regime-held territory - areas where many have already run from airstrikes and bombardment.
The Syrian government says it is attacking terrorists who are using the communities as human shields.
Idlib is the last rebel stronghold - if the regime wins here it will have effectively won the Syrian war and defeated the revolution.