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White House: Syria has used sarin gas on its own people – Barbara Starr has the latest
The White House is now saying it is clear that Syria used chemical weapons, including sarin nerve gas, on its own people, killing as many as 150 rebels.
The big question being asked now is how forcefully will the White House respond? Barbara Starr is following the developments.
"Pressure is growing on president Obama to act," Starr says. “The White House says it will boost military support to the rebels, but won't say exactly how.” Arming the rebels may be an option, Starr reports.
Syrian govt. troops feel momentum is in their favor – Frederik Pleitgen reports live from Damascus
The White House is now definitively saying that it is clear that chemical weapons were used in "small amounts" on the Syrian people.
The big question raised now is how forcefully will the White House respond? Frederik Pleitgen is following the developments live in Damascus.
“The big concern here for the Syrian government is of course, or would be, the establishment of a no-fly zone here in this country,” Pleitgen reports.
“Right now, the Syrian government believes it has the momentum on the battlefield. But of course, increased U.S. Involvement could quench that.”
White House says reports of chemical weapons in Syria being taken 'very seriously' – Chris Lawrence reports
In Syria, the Assad regime and rebel forces are both accusing each other of using chemical weapons. Syrian state media claimed yesterday that opposition forces launched a chemical attack in Aleppo province, killing at least two dozen people and injuring more than 100. Rebels deny that charge and accuse the government forces of shelling a town near Damascus with chemical rockets.
The White House is continuing to keep a close eye on the situation there. Chief of Staff Denis Mcdonough told CNN's Jake Tapper that the president takes the reports, quote "very seriously." The statement now raises questions whether that means the United States would take some kind of military action. Chris Lawrence is live at the Pentagon with the latest on this developing story.
CNN's Arwa Damon reports; Syrian teen risks to save fallen sniper victim: 'If I die, it's God's will'
A CNN exclusive today profiles a heroic teenager caught in the crossfire of Syria’s civil war. CNN Senior International Correspondent Arwa Damon has this powerful story.
Seventeen-year-old Abdullah risks his life amidst the blood-soaked streets of Aleppo in hopes of saving a complete stranger who is shot by a sniper. "But it was too late," Damon reports. "Despite Abdullah's efforts, the woman dies."
"I said to myself, 'if I die, it's God's will that I die next to this woman,'" he tells Damon afterward.
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