Trump refuses to give timeline for Syria intervention

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA (AA) - U.S. President Donal Trump on Thursday refused to give a timeline for military intervention in Syria, saying it "could be very soon or not so soon at all".

In a tweet, Trump said: "Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all! In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS. Where is our “Thank you America?”"

Trump was using another acronym for Daesh terror organization.

Trump seemed to be backtracking from his Wednesday tweet, which warned Russia to brace for missiles which "will be coming".

"Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. 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!" he said, referring to Syria's Bashar al-Assad.

Trump also said in a series of tweets that the U.S.-Russia relationship had hit its lowest point and urged for an end to the arms race.

Russia on Wednesday warned against the risk of a direct clash with the U.S. in Syria, with a Russian envoy saying U.S. missiles flying over the war-ravaged country would be shot down.

Syrian regime forces struck targets in Eastern Ghouta's Douma district on Saturday midnight using a poisonous gas which left at least 78 civilians dead, according to the White Helmets, a local civil defense agency.

The attack has drawn worldwide condemnation.

On Feb. 24, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2401 which called for a month-long cease-fire in Syria, especially in Eastern Ghouta to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Despite the resolution, the regime and its allies early this month launched a major ground offensive backed by Russian air power aimed at capturing opposition-held parts of Eastern Ghouta.

Home to some 400,000 people, the suburb has remained the target of a crippling regime siege for the last five years.

Earlier this month, a UN commission of inquiry released a report accusing the regime of committing war crimes in Eastern Ghouta, including the use of chemical weapons against civilians.