FATIMA WATCH: TRUMP THREATENS AND NEW AIR STRIKES

Trump threatens Assad and Putin over alleged chemical attack in Syria

President Trump responded Sunday to reports of a suspected chemical attack in the Syrian city of Douma, blaming Syrian President Bashar Assad and his international allies for the apparent attack that left dozens dead and hundreds injured. In some of his most critical comments directed at Russian President Vladimir Putin to date, Mr. Trump threatened that there’s a “big price … to pay” for those backing the Assad regime.


Syrian opposition activists and rescuers said Sunday that a poison gas attack on the rebel-held town of Douma near the capital of Damascus killed at least 40 people. The alleged attack has been denied by the Syrian and Russian governments. Russia is Syria’s closest ally and has a major military presence in the country. Reports of the latest attack, which appeared to target civilians and young children, could not be independently verified. READ MORE

 

China launches massive navy drills with 40 warships in the South China Sea

China launched a massive navy drill in the South China Sea with 40 warships in an overt display of military muscle- as three US carrier battle groups passed by.  Chinese state media says the exercises are centered on the aircraft carrier Liaoning, with warships combining from the North, East and South Sea fleets.  This is the first time China’s refurbished Soviet-era aircraft carrier, Liaoning, has engaged in large-scale live-fire drills. It comes as the United States has three aircraft carrier battle groups
converging on the contested waterway for its own exercises. Both sets of military maneuvers are being held as an Asian economic forum gets underway on the Chinese island of Hainan, which borders the disputed South China Sea. Beijing-based military analyst Zhou Chenming told the South China Morning Post: “China wants to show the outside world its determination to defend the fruits of its economic reforms over the past 40 years. READ MORE

 

Japan activates first marines since World War 2

Japan on Saturday activated its first marine unit since World War Two trained to counter invaders occupying Japanese islands along the edge of the East China Sea that Tokyo fears are vulnerable to attack by China.  In a ceremony held at a military base near Sasebo on the southwest island of Kyushu, about 1,500 members of the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB) wearing camouflage lined
up outside amid cold, windy weather. “Given the increasingly difficult defense and security situation surrounding Japan, defense of our islands has become a critical mandate,” Tomohiro Yamamoto, vice defense minister, said in a speech. The troops conducted a 20-minute mock public exercise recapturing a remote island from invaders. READ MORE

 

WAR DRUMS: Russia calls Assad gas attack “Fake News”

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday reports of a gas attack in Syria were bogus and any military action taken based on such “invented and fabricated excuses” could lead to severe consequences. “The spread of bogus stories about the use of chlorine and other poisonous substances by (Syrian) government forces continues. Yet another such fabricated piece of information about an alleged chemical attack in Douma appeared yesterday,” the ministry said in a statement. “We have warned several times recently against such dangerous provocations. The aim of such deceitful speculation, lacking any kind of grounding, is to shield terrorists … and to attempt to justify possible external uses of force.” READ MORE

 

BREAKING: Airstrike on Syria’ reports of fighter jets and missiles over Lebanon

DEVELOPING: Reports of explosions have been heard at Syria’s Tiyas Military Airbase amid reports of jets flying across Lebanon into Syria as well as unknown projectiles, it has been reported.  Lebanon residents have reported hearing unidentified jets towards Syria. Speculation is rising of a foreign attack against the Syrian regime just a day after a chemical attack. It happened roughly at 3.30 am local time on
Monday. Residents reported hearing loud booms and the sound of jets. There are reports that Syrian air defense has intercepted missiles. There are also reports that US warships from the Mediterranean are reportedly launching Tomahawk missiles into Syria. Syrian state television has reportedly confirmed. READ MORE