THE largest US air and navy strike force since the 2003 Iraq war has set off towards Syria.
It comes as Theresa May was given the green light by her emergency War Cabinet to join US-led strikes against Syrian butcher Bashar al Assad yesterday in Downing Street.
Sources in Westminster suggested US-led strikes are possible this weekend – before Parliament returns from its Easter break on Monday.
Yesterday the US mobilised ten warships and two submarines in the Mediterranean and Gulf region handing President Trump the opportunity to make a significant military strike against Assad.
The USS Donald Cook, a guided missile destroyer with up to 60 Tomahawk missiles, is already within range with three others close by.
The Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group, a nuclear-powered carrier with 90 aircraft and five escort ships, set off from Norfolk, Virginia on Wednesday and could be included in any action by next week.
According to The Times Russian anti-submarine aircraft are now in place at the Russian airbase in west Syria as the Royal Navy submarines moved in striking range.
It also reports offensive cyberweapons will be used by the UK alliance to deceive Russian and Syrian air-defence radars if strikes take place.
Last night six Typhoon fighter jets armed with air-to-air missiles flew to RAF base Akortiri in Cyprus last night. Preparations are now underway to defend the airbase in Cyprus from a possible Russian counterattack.
Downing Street said yesterday it would work with allies the US and France to "co-ordinate" a response.
French President Emmanuel Macron said his country had proof the Syrian regime, which is backed by Russia and Iran, carried out the chemical attack on Douma, near Damascus on Saturday.
US officials say blood and urine samples from victims, including children, mainly tested positive for chlorine and a nerve agent.
The alleged chemical weapons attack which has left at least 40 dead has spelt the most dangerous standoff between Russia and the West in modern times with Moscow hinting it would shoot back at US-led warships or jets if they strike.
Moscow has since called for the United Nations security council to meet today to discuss Syria, as Vasily Nebenzya, Russian ambassador to the UN, said that the “immediate priority is to avert the danger of war”.
Last night in a phone call with US President Donald Trump the PM vowed to work towards building an international response but stressed they had not made a final decision.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump about Syria this evening.
“They agreed that the Assad regime had established a pattern of dangerous behaviour in relation to the use of chemical weapons.
“They agreed it was vital that the use of chemical weapons did not go unchallenged, and on the need to deter the further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime.
“They agreed to keep working closely together on the international response.”
White House Press secretary Sarah Sanders said: “President Trump just finished a meeting with his National Security team to discuss the situation in Syria.
“No final decision has been made. We are continuing to assess intelligence and are engaged in conversations with our partners and allies.
“The President will speak with President Macron and Prime Minister May this evening.”
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