Haley warns Russia and Iran of the "dire consequences" of the military assault in Syria

"I also want to reiterate what I said last week to the Assad regime and to anyone considering using chemical weapons in Syria," Haley added. "The United States followed when we said we were going to respond to the use of chemical weapons.We maintain this warning."

Defense Secretary James Mattis declined to say Tuesday whether the United States would take military action against the Syrian regime if chemical weapons were used, but said Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad had been "warned" ".

"I'm not going to tell the world in advance what we're going to do, it's just not my style," said Mattis when asked if and what kind of retaliation the US military would use if the regime used chemical weapons. in his offensive against Idlib.

"I never talk about what comes next," said Mattis. "But I think you have to look at the fact that we will respect the ban on chemical weapons and support it."

When asked what the United States had done to prevent their use, Mattis spoke of the American, British and French strikes against Syria after a chemical attack in April. Assad "has been warned," said Mattis. "The first time he lost 17% of his air force aircraft with a sharp nose, he was warned, and we'll see if he's awake."

"A humanitarian nightmare"

Mattis refused to confirm whether he had consulted the United Kingdom or France on a military response.

The crisis in Idlib has the potential to "unleash an unprecedented humanitarian nightmare," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday, noting that nearly one million children live in Idlib. Internally displaced Syrians who have fled the region to escape violence elsewhere. "Idlib is the last so-called" de-escalation zone "in Syria," Guterres said. "Do not turn it into a bloodbath."

The Russian and Syrian strikes have already displaced more than 30,000 people and the forces are targeting hospitals and other medical facilities, Haley said, adding that the pro-regime forces "are also conducting ruthless strikes against civilian volunteers like the White Helmets" , "in which they" hit an area, wait a few moments for first responders to arrive and hit again. "

"The United States has long taken Russia and Iran aware of their real desire to protect civilians in Idlib against further violence," Haley said. "Regardless of the type of weapons or methods used, the United States strongly opposes any escalation of violence in Idlib."

No absolution

In his remarks, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia reiterated that "Syria does not have chemical weapons" and said that it would be senseless on the humanitarian and political level that the Assad regime uses weapons chemical attacks in Syria.

He also accused the terrorists of forcing the government to run for Idlib, a claim rejected by the United States and other countries, who claim that Russia and the Assad regime use this label to justify the military offensive.

"Fighting terrorism does not relieve the warring parties of their fundamental obligations under international law," Guterres said, urging Iran, Russia and Turkey to spare no effort to protect civilians . humanitarian law. "

CNN reported last week that US officials were worried that the Idlib assault could involve the use of chemical weapons if the rebels could slow the regime's progress.

The Assad regime has approached armed Idlib helicopters in recent weeks, according to two defense officials. The United States is worried that they could possibly be used to launch another chemical attack as well as a conventional attack.

Russian diplomat Nebenzia also summed up last week's summit between Russia, Turkey and Iran as "a major step in restoring peace and ensuring a lasting settlement in Syria". The three countries have failed to reach a ceasefire agreement, prompting Sweden and other countries to warn of a "humanitarian catastrophe" if the Syrian government, backed by Russia, runs a military offensive on Idlib, where millions are threatened. .

Haley said the summit's failure was another indication that Russia, Iran and the Assad regime are not interested in a political solution, telling council that these parties have "all opportunities to demonstrate their credibility as constructive actors in Syria ".

"Russia, Iran and Assad are demolishing Idlib and asking us to call it peace," she said. "We will know that the Assad regime and its facilitators are serious about a political process for peace in Syria, not when they repeat their empty promises, but when they act." ".