US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley on Monday told the UN Security Council that “the Russian regime, whose hands are all covered in the blood of Syrian children, cannot be ashamed by pictures of its victims,” referring to Sunday’s chemical attack on the town of Douma near Damascus, where regime forces killed an estimated 200 and injured more than 1,000, including many children.
“We must not overlook Russia and Iran’s roles in enabling the Assad regime’s murderous destruction,” Haley said, adding: “Only a monster does this. Only a monster targets civilians and ensures there are no ambulances to transfer the wounded. No hospitals or medicine to ease their pain. […] The monster who was responsible for these attacks has no conscious.”
On Sunday, President Trump tweeted his response to the vile massacre: “Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!”
Russia’s UN envoy Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council on Monday that “there was no chemical weapons attack,” threatening that a US retaliatory action would have “grave repercussions.”
“Russia is being unpardonably threatened,” Nebenzia said. “The boorishness against my country is unacceptable and exceeds Cold War standards.”
On Monday, President Trump said that he would make his decision on how to respond to the “heinous” Syrian action over the next “24 to 48 hours.”