Theresa May ‘seeks full role’ in Syria strikes

Cabinet ministers have agreed on a “need to take action” against Syria, following a suspected chemical weapon attack that claimed the lives of dozens of people in the Damascus suburb of Douma.

During the two-hour meeting yesterday afternoon, ministers agreed to join forces with the US and France to prevent Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s forces from launching an “appalling and inhumane” attack again.

Theresa May is reportedly adamant that the UK plays an equal part in any military action against Syria. “It was understood the UK was planning a genuinely joint effort with the US and France, rather than playing a supporting role,” said the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg.

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But Transport Minister Jo Johnson said: “There has been no decision to take military action at this point.”

Following the meeting, May spoke to Donald Trump and the pair agreed that the UK and the US would “keep working closely together on the international response”, according to a statement from Downing Street.

“Training exercises were clearly already under way at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus in preparation for a possible counterattack by the Russians,” says The Guardian.

The Times reports that “the largest US air and naval strike force since the 2003 Iraq war” is currently heading towards Syria, and that US-led strikes are expected to begin “within the next three days”.

Assad’s main ally Russia has repeatedly issued warnings to the US that it will shoot back at missiles, warships and jets if they strike against Syria, bringing the US and Russia into direct conflict for the first time.