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A Syrian couple mourns in front of bodies wrapped in shrouds killed by an alleged chemical weapon attack by pro-government forces last week.
US officials are certain that the chemical weapon strike in Syria that killed hundreds of people last week was launched by Bashar al-Assad's forces — because American intelligence officials listened in as the regime's Ministry of Defense and its chemical weapons unit discussed the launch in the aftermath of the attack.
A report in Foreign Policy today backs up claims by Obama administration officials that intercepted communications have left them with little doubt the despotic regime was behind the Aug. 21 attack.
But it does provide new details — and questions — about the strike that killed many women and children and shocked the world.
The report described the intercepted phone calls between the Ministry of Defense and the chemical weapons as "panicked" and "demanding answers," suggesting that the strike may not have been authorized by higher-ups.
"It's unclear where control lies," one US intelligence official told The Cable. "Is there just some sort of general blessing to use these things? Or are there explicit orders for each attack?"
"We don't know exactly why it happened," the intelligence official added. "We just know it was pretty f---ing stupid."
Officials estimate that more than 300 civilians, including children, were killed in the attack near Damascus.
The Obama administration insists the Syrian government must be punished, but US officials are still grappling with what type of military strike might deter future chemical weapons attacks and trying to assess how Assad would respond, two senior administration officials said Wednesday.
US intelligence agencies are preparing a report laying out the evidence against Assad's government in chemical weapons attacks on civilians. The classified version would be sent to key members of Congress and a declassified version would be released publicly. The White House says it's already convinced, however, and is planning a possible military response while rounding up support from international partners.
"If there is action taken, it must be clearly defined what the objective is and why" and based on "clear facts," said one of the senior officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to discuss internal deliberations publicly.
The official said the administration is considering more than a single set of military strikes and "the options are not limited just to one day" of assault.
The other US official said the administration has determined it can contain any potential Syrian military response in the event that President Barack Obama orders a US attack, which likely would be led by low-flying cruise missiles fired from any of four US Navy destroyers off Syria's coast.
Also today, an Israeli official says the government has ordered a "limited" call-up of reserve troops in anticipation of a possible attack by Syria.
The official says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Security Cabinet ordered the mobilization after special discussions on Wednesday. Israel fears that Syria may respond to US strikes with an attack on Israel.
Assad has denied using chemical weapons, calling the allegations "preposterous."
Also today, a Jordanian official said the Middle Eastern country and US ally "will not be a launching pad for any military action against Syria," which it borders.
With AP
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