‘Get ready Russia’ missiles ‘will be coming’: Trump intensifies threats of air strike on Syria after chemical weapons attack
His comments came after Moscow warned that any strike on the Middle Eastern country would be considered a war crime and could trigger a direct military clash
Defying Russian warnings against US military strikes in Syria, President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that missiles “will be coming” in response to Syria’s suspected chemical attack that killed dozens of people.
“Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria,” Trump tweeted. “Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and ‘smart!’ You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!”
The tweet came as Trump administration officials have consulted global allies on a possible joint military response to Syria’s alleged poison gas attack. Trump cancelled a foreign trip this week to manage the escalating crisis.
The tweet drew a quick response from Russia’s Foreign Ministry. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Facebook that “smart” missiles would destroy any evidence of a suspected chemical weapons attack.
The term “smart” missile dates to the introduction decades ago of weapons with advanced guidance systems – for example, using GPS – for precision targeting. Virtually all US missiles have such systems.