The US military chief said Tuesday that his forces are ready to launch strikes against the Syrian regime over alleged chemical attacks, amid growing Western and Arab calls for action.
Syria vowed defiantly to defend itself against any attack with “surprise” measures, while its close ally Russia warned that any use of force would have “catastrophic consequences” in the region.
Global stock markets dived and world oil prices hit a six-month high over fears of possible military intervention, as the drumbeat of war grew louder.
Speaking in Brunei, US defence secretary Chuck Hagel said the military was prepared to act once President Barack Obama gave the order. “We are prepared. We have moved assets in place to be able to fulfil and comply with whatever option the President wishes to take,” he said. “We are ready to go, like that.”
The Washington Post cited senior US administration officials as saying such action would probably last no more than two days and involve missiles or long-range bombers, striking military targets not directly linked to Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal. Britain said, meanwhile, that its armed forces were drawing up contingency plans for action in Syria, and Prime Minister David Cameron has recalled Parliament from its summer break to debate the crisis.