Assad 'has been warned' on Idlib chemical use: Mattis
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis stressed on 11 September that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been well warned against any chemical weapons use in an anticipated assault on Idlib province.
The Assad regime has twice been targeted by US air and missile strikes after previous alleged chemical attacks, and US officials have in recent days said additional action would follow if Assad were to use the banned weapons in rebel-held Idlib.
Mattis told Pentagon reporters: ‘In Idlib, we're watching very closely what the Assad regime, aided and abetted by the Iranians and the Russians are up to there.’
Pointing to a US missile strike on a Syrian air base in April 2017 after Assad's jets launched an alleged chemical attack in Idlib, Mattis noted that the Syrian leader suffered massive losses to his air force.
Mattis, referring to the unusual nose cones on Russian-built jets, said: ‘The first time around, he lost 17% of his pointy-nosed air force airplanes. He's been warned, and so we'll see if he's wised up.’
A second strike, in April 2018, saw British and French militaries assist the US-led mission.
Idlib province and adjacent rural areas form the largest piece of territory still held by Syria's beleaguered rebels, worn down by a succession of government victories in recent months.
Assad has now set his sights on Idlib, and his forces have stepped up bombardment of the densely populated province since the beginning of the month.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US]()
Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
-
![US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry]()
US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry
The 2025 NSS has emphasised investment in the US nuclear and air defence inventory and national industry, but it leaves multiple unanswered questions on how the White House will implement this approach.
-
![Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners]()
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
-
![NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems]()
NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems
During the latest edition of the NATO DiBaX, the alliance tested multiple capabilities to inform requirements for future efforts.
