{"id":55129,"date":"2018-04-19T19:46:35","date_gmt":"2018-04-19T19:46:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/04\/19\/pentagon-no-civilian-casualties-in-syria-strikes\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T14:08:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T14:08:14","slug":"pentagon-no-civilian-casualties-in-syria-strikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/04\/19\/pentagon-no-civilian-casualties-in-syria-strikes\/","title":{"rendered":"Pentagon: Sarin likely at Syria sites, but questions remain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The Pentagon said Thursday a \u201cpreponderance of the evidence\u201d indicates there were chemical weapons, including \u201celements\u201d of sarin nerve gas, at the three Syrian sites bombed<\/a> by the U.S. and its allies last week. Any definitive conclusion<\/a> probably will remain an open question for some time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said at a Pentagon briefing that the United States believes the Syrian government, six days after the strikes, can still mount \u201climited attacks\u201d<\/a> but its ability to conduct research or improve chemical weapons<\/a> has been degraded. He said its remaining chemical capabilities are \u201cprobably spread throughout the country at a variety of sites.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

McKenzie said if Syrian forces were considering possible future attacks, \u201cthey\u2019ve got to look over their shoulder and be worried that we\u2019re looking at them, and we\u2019ll have the ability to strike them again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t