'World War 3' Fear Looms After Russia Vows Revenge Against US and Allies' Strikes in Syria

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

Trump condemned left, right and centre.

Will Russia really retaliate? Twitterati doubt.

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).