Russia challenges Trump

Russia has challenged the United State (US) President Donald Trump to set out his strategy on Syria after he declared that an apparent chemical weapons attack had transformed his views on the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Trump, who has previously argued against removing Assad from power, said Wednesday's attack on a rebel-held town in Syria's Idlib province was a "heinous" act that "crossed a lot of lines for me."

But Trump did not offer any details of how US strategy on Syria would change. Nor did he directly criticise Russia, which has stood by Assad in the face of worldwide condemnation of the attack, which killed at least 86 people, including 26 children.

Trump's Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, said on Wednesday there was "no doubt" that Assad was responsible for the attack and called on Russia to "really think carefully" about its continued support for the regime.

When asked if Russia would reconsider its backing for Assad, Russia's Foreign Ministry instead challenged the US to show its cards.

"Russia's approach to Assad is clear. He is the legal president of an independent state. What is the US approach?" ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a text message.

Russia is Syria's most powerful ally and has provided the military might behind Assad's grip on the country, which plunged into civil war six years ago.

Turkey's Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said Thursday that autopsies being carried out in Turkey on the Syrian victims indicated exposure to chemical substances.

Syria denies having ever used chemical weapons and blames "terrorist" groups. Russia has claimed that a Syrian regime airstrike hit a terrorist group's chemical munition depot, causing the fatalities.

But victims hospitalised told CNN they saw planes drop chemical-laden bombs.

No terrorist or rebel group in Syria is believed to have the capacity to carry out aerial strikes.

Source: jamunanews24