The cabinet has unanimously backed Theresa May’s warning that Syria’s use of chemical weapons could not go unchallenged, leaving the way open for British participation in military action against Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Downing Street said senior ministers had agreed it was highly likely the Syrian government was responsible for the “shocking and barbaric” gas attack on the rebel-held town of Douma, which killed up to 75 people.
Within hours of the meeting, the prime minister spoke to Donald Trump by phone about the crisis, with the two leaders agreeing to work closely together on the international response. They stressed that Syria must be prevented from launching a similar onslaught on its own people in future.
The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, accused the government of waiting for instructions from the US. He said: “Further UK military intervention in Syria’s appalling multi-sided war risks escalating an already devastating conflict. The government appears to be waiting for instructions from President Donald Trump on how to proceed. But the US administration is giving alarmingly contradictory signals.”
At a two-hour cabinet meeting on Thursday, ministers backed plans to take further action – along with the US and France – to prevent Assad’s forces from launching such an “appalling and inhumane” attack again.