Donald Trump Warns Russia On Syria Strike – Says U.S. Missiles Will Be “Nice And New And Smart”

Donald Trump jumped on Twitter Wednesday morning to alert Russia that it should be prepared for an imminent military strike on its ally Syria.

Donald Trump Tweets Warning To Russia On Syria

SLIDESHOW: DONALD TRUMP’S 30 CRAZIEST TWEETS

The president boasted that the missiles the U.S. is set to launch will be “nice and new and ‘smart.'” “You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!” Trump tweeted.

Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018

Trump is referring to Russia’s longtime alliance with Syria despite the latter country’s oppressive regime. Over the weekend, Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad allegedly launched a chemical weapons attack in Douma, a suburb of Damascus. Dozens of civilians, including children, were severely injured in the assault.

The president was scheduled to make a multination visit to Latin America this week for a summit, but instead canceled his trip in order to deal with the Syrian crisis. Last week, Trump stated that he wished to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, an idea that was condemned by many prominent lawmakers including Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who serves as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Less than one hour after the tweet, the president again toned down his approach to the Syrian crisis and called for nations to unite to end the arms race:

Our relationship with Russia is worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War. There is no reason for this. Russia needs us to help with their economy, something that would be very easy to do, and we need all nations to work together. Stop the arms race?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018

Trump has often criticized his predecessors, particularly Barack Obama, over their handling of foreign policy issues. On Thursday morning, Trump claimed his administration has been doing “a great job” of eliminating ISIS from the Middle East:

Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all! In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS. Where is our “Thank you America?”

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2018

The U.S. is working with Great Britain and France to deal with Syria.

Trump previously launched a strike on a Syrian airfield in the spring of 2017 as a response to an alleged chemical attack.

Secretary of Defense James Mattis stated Wednesday: “We stand ready to provide military options if they are appropriate as the President determined.”

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders echoed these sentiments, saying “all options remain on the table.”

According to the Syrian-American Medical Society (SAMS) — and other organizations assisting in Syria — more than 500 civilians have been cared for to address symptoms “indicative of exposure to a chemical agent.” Sams and other local groups working in Syria released reports Wednesday that said 70 people had died from the attack.