Trump to Russia: 'Get ready' for missiles fired into Syria

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned Moscow of Washington’s response to a suspected poison gas attack in Syria, telling the superpower to “get ready” for missiles that “will be coming."

On Tuesday, the Russian Ambassador to Lebanon warned that any US missiles fired at Syria as a result of the chemical weapons attack on the rebel enclave would be shot down and launch sites targeted.

The ambassador stated that such a clash should be avoided and that Russia was ready for negotiations.

“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!” Trump wrote on his Twitter account.

Both Moscow and Washington sparred at the UN on Tuesday regarding the use of chemical weapons in Syria as the US and its allies considered whether to target Syrian government forces over the alleged poison gas attack.

Following Trump’s tweet, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responded, "Smart missiles should fly toward terrorists, not a legal government."

As a result of Saturday’s suspected chemical weapons attack on the town of Douma, over 60 people were killed, according to Syrian relief workers.

About 500 additional residents were treated for “symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic chemicals”, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.

The Russian and Syrian governments both claim the reports are false, with the Kremlin on Wednesday stating that it hoped all parties involved in Syria would avoid actions that might destabilize the already fragile situation in the Middle East.

The Syrian government is being reported as calling Trump's threats to attack "reckless," saying they endanger international peace and security.

Editing by John J. Catherine