Russia Will Bomb U.S. Missile Launch Sites If Trump Attacks Syria, Ambassador Warns (Source Newsweek)

Moscow will shoot down any U.S. missiles fired at Syria and retaliate against American launch sites, the Russian ambassador to Lebanon has warned.

Ambassador Alexander Zasypkin made the comments on Tuesday while speaking on the Hezbollah-affiliated al-Manar TV channel, Reuters reported. President Donald Trump is currently considering military action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad following Saturday’s suspected chemical attack on the rebel-held town of Douma near the capital city of Damascus. Medical relief groups say the attack killed dozens of civilians. Zasypkin told the Hezbollah-affiliated al-Manar TV channel, “If there is a strike by the Americans, then…the missiles will be downed and even the sources from which the missiles were fired.” He added that both sides should avoid a military confrontation, and said “we are ready therefore ready to hold negotiations.” The international community is on edge as Trump decides his course of action. On Tuesday, the president said the U.S. would respond “forcefully” within “the next 24 to 48 hours” if Assad’s forces were proven to be behind the attack. The U.K. and France have reportedly agreed to join Trump in his response. Commercial airlines have been told to exercise caution in the eastern Mediterranean because of the risk of American military action. The European Aviation Safety Agency posted a statement to the Euro control airspace organization website which read, “Due to the possible launch of airstrikes into Syria with air-to-ground and/or cruise missiles within the next 72 hours, and the possibility of intermittent disruption of radio navigation equipment, due consideration needs to be taken when planning flight operations.