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Obama considers possibility of a limited-scope military operation against Damascus

Objective is to serve as punishment for Syria’s use of chemical weapons and as deterrent
Photo ITAR-TASS/ Alexey Nikolski
Photo ITAR-TASS/ Alexey Nikolski

WASHINGTON, August 27. (Itar-Tass) – President Barack Obama is looking into a limited-scole military operation against Damascus, The Washington Post reported. The objective is to “serve as punishment for Syria’s use of chemical weapons and as a deterrent, while keeping the United States out of deeper involvement in that country’s civil war, according to senior administration officials.” The military operation “would probably last no more than two days and involve sea-launched cruise missiles — or, possibly, long-range bombers,” the daily writes.

The decision on when to strike, if it’s made, would depend on three factors: “completion of an intelligence report assessing Syrian government culpability in last week’s alleged chemical attack; ongoing consultation with allies and Congress; and determination of a justification under international law.”

 “We’re actively looking at the various legal angles that would inform a decision,” an unnamed official of the presidential administration told The Washington Post.