Moscow, April 14: Threat of the third world war intensifies as the US and its allies took the unprecedented step of launching direct military strikes in Syria on Saturday. "Mission accomplished" was what American President Donald Trump said hours after the assault. His Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, however issued a stern response saying the attack would be revenged.
A total of 103 missiles were jointly launched by the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France. The 'precision strikes' were carried out at three locations where the Bashar al-Assad regime has allegedly stored chemical weapons.
Iran, the most time-tested ally of Assad, claimed the impact of strikes were largely thwarted as the Syrian forces neutralised 71 of the 103 missiles fired.
Moscow, which has backed the incumbent Syrian regime throughout the seven-year insurgency, said the strikes of US and its allies violate the UNSC agreement.
"The strikes were an aggression against a sovereign state which is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism," said statement issued by the Russian President's office, adding that it was carried out "in violation of the UN Charter and principles of international law".
Russia has also called for an urgent meeting of the UNSC to discuss the "aggression" shown by the US and its allies against a sovereign state.
China also backed the charges levelled by Russia, calling the attacks a "violation of the UNSC agreement".
Is the World War 3 threat imminent?
London-based researcher Alan Woods opines the Trump regime is dividing the world into two camps by pursuing the "American deep state's hawkish foreign policy in a more aggressive manner".
Woods, who is the editor of media publication In Defence of Marxism, claims the US President is committing the same mistakes which he predicted his presidential race rival Hillary Clinton to commit if she was chosen as the country's head.
"Trump said that if you would vote for Hillary, she would push our nation into the third world war. She would further severe ties with Russia, increase our military's role in the Middle East and create a hostile environment all over. This is what Trump is doing," he added.
Twitterati react to the threat of World War 3
If World War III starts it will probably start in Syria, where every belligerent power including our own is led by an egotistical monster. No one is going to be saved. There is no good war to be fought. There is no excuse for wanting this to happen, not with everything we know
— David Klion (@DavidKlion) April 14, 2018
If your reason for supporting the air strikes in Syria is "but World War 3 hasn't started yet," that isn't a very solid reason.
— Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) April 14, 2018
If your reason for supporting the air strikes in Syria is "but World War 3 hasn't started yet," that isn't a very solid reason.
— Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) April 14, 2018
Trump condemned left, right and centre.
Donald Trump during the campaign: "You’re going to end up in World War III over Syria if we listen to Hillary Clinton.”
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) April 14, 2018
If this is World War 3, I'm just glad Trump banned trannies from the military beforehand. 💀
— Blaire White (@MsBlaireWhite) April 14, 2018
If I thought he'd sit through a film about a female superhero, I'd have said Trump's knowledge of World War I chemical weapons came largely from the plot of "Wonder Woman."
— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) April 14, 2018
Will Russia really retaliate? Twitterati doubt.
I'm gonna be real for a second.
Russia isn't going to strike back at the US military because they know it'll plunge them into a war they can't possibly hope to win, and no nation would support their effort. World War 3 isn't going to happen over a strike on Syrian assets.
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) April 14, 2018
Trump attacks Russian forces in Syria!!! World War 3 alert!! https://t.co/uDb8aejAbl
— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) April 14, 2018
Russia media all the week: "Russia will destroy both missiles and launchers", "It will be the start of Third World War" if allies target any place in Syria
Today: "Hmeimim base wasn't under the threat, no SAM needed". "Putin saved the world of WW3"
— Liveuamap (@Liveuamap) April 14, 2018
Although the Opposition in the US Congress has opposed the manner in which President Trump launched the strike, questions have not been raised over the intent of the military program. However, the Opposition in the UK was far more scathing against Prime Minister Theresa May. Leader of Opposition Jeremy Corbyn said the people of Britain pin their hope in the government to resolve their day-to-day concerns, rather than intensifying the imperial war against Syria.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 14, 2018 06:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).