Mattis: US 'Looking for Evidence' of Syria Chemical Attack

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has said he believes there was a chemical weapons attack in Syria last Saturday, but admits the U.S. government is still "looking for the actual evidence" to support the claim.

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"I believe there was a chemical attack and we are looking for the actual evidence,” Mattis said to Washington lawmakers, adding that he is trying to send inspectors to Syria "probably within the week."

The U.S. military official claims it will become "more difficult" to obtain evidence to back up the claims that are being used to justify escalations towards war with Syria.

"As each day goes by – as you know, it is a non-persistent gas – so it becomes more and more difficult to confirm it."

The alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma has been blamed on the Syrian government, and U.S. President Donald Trump said a strong response would be taken, refusing to rule out military strikes.

With strike fleets moving within range of Syria and the Russian military on alert to defend against a possible missile attack, tensions continue to run high.

""The only reason Assad is still in power is because of the Russians regrettable vetoes in the U.N., and the Russian and Iranian military," Mattis said.

Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council on Wednesday that the current threats against Russia exceed any historic precedent, "even during the Cold War."

The ambassador said that Russian specialists went to Douma to inspect the situation, but could not find any evidence of a chemical attack: "Locals were interviewed about the cessation of resistance to the fighters. Not a single local resident confirmed the chemical attack having taken place.

"In local hospitals, there were no reports about symptoms from a toxic substance such as chlorine. Other medical facilities are not located in Douma.

"The bodies of the dead as a result of contamination were not found. Medical personnel and residents have no information about their potential burial areas. Thereby, the use of sarin and chlorine is not confirmed."