US Considering Air Strikes Against Syrian Targets - East Idaho News
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US Considering Air Strikes Against Syrian Targets

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159136970?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1377593769051iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. may be gearing up for military intervention in Syria after accusations that the Syrian government used chemical weapons last week.

The Pentagon is reportedly compiling a list of potential targets. Analysts say that the Syrian Army’s runways and fighter jets could be hit with American cruise missiles. The United Kingdom, France and Germany may also be involved in a military intervention in Syria.

President Obama is unlikely, however, to order sustained air strikes meant to unseat Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Meanwhile, American intelligence agencies will continue working to strengthen their case that the Syrian government used chemical weapons. According to the New York Times, intercepted radio or telephone calls between Syrian military commanders could be part of that intelligence.

Without mentioning specific consequences or actions the U.S. planned to take, Secretary of State John Kerry stressed, “Make no mistake: President Obama believes there must be accountability for those who would use the world’s most heinous weapons against the world’s most vulnerable people.”

A formal assessment is likely to come soon, possibly sometime this week.

The purpose of launching the air strikes would be to “defer or prevent” another chemical attack by the al-Assad regime, senior administration officials tell ABC News.

Syria has said that it would use all available means to defend itself against an American attack.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

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