Russian warplanes 'HARASS US destroyer warship
carrying Tomahawk missiles near Syria' A US destroyer bristling with Tomahawk missiles
was harassed by Russian warplanes near Syrian territorial waters, according to Turkish
media reports. The USS Donald Cook, an Arleigh Burke-class
guided missile destroyer, was approached by Russian planes 100km from Tartus, a city on
Syrias Mediterranean coast, Turkish news agency IHA reported. The US warship, equipped with more than 60
Tomahawk missiles, was buzzed by the Russian aircraft after departing from the port of
Larnaca, Cyprus, the news agency claimed. The Russian planes, whose type was not named,
swooped low on the ship four times during the encounter, it is claimed.
A US guided-missile destroyer has "moved toward
the Syrian coast", according to the Wall Street Journal. The alleged incident was reported just hours
after US President Donald Trump vowed a forceful response to the chemical attack in Syria. "We cannot allow atrocities like that. Cannot allow it," Trump told reporters at
the White House, warning those responsible he has a lot of options militarily.
He said a decision to launch a retaliatory
strike on Syria would be made tonight or very shortly thereafter. Both the US Navy and Pentagon has denied reports
the USS Donald was harassed by the Russians, according to Ragp Soylu, Washington correspondent
for Daily Sabbah. He tweeted: Both the Pentagon and the US
Navy denied the news. In another tweet, he added: US Navy Spokesman
says all of the details in Turkish media report about US destroyer Donald Cook are false.
Daily Star Online has reached out to a US
Navy representative for comment. In a statement released on Monday, the US
Navy said the USS Donald Cook had left Larnaca, Cyprus, after a scheduled port visit. The destination of the ship, the 25th destroyer
of her class, was not disclosed by the US. Navy.
"The Donald Cook crew had an amazing time
during this port visit to Larnaca, Cyprus, said Donald Cooks Command Master Chief
Jeremy Douglas. The people were very welcoming and the
city was beautiful. These types of visits help build long lasting
relationships , which are crucial to our mission." Trump said the US is still investigating the
possible involvement of the Iranian and Russian governments in the apparent strike on Douma. "If it's Russia, if it's Syria, if it's Iran,
if it's all of them together, we'll figure it out," he said.
He added of Russian president Vladimir Putin,
"everybody's going to pay a price he will, everybody will". The attack comes almost exactly a year after
a chemical atrocity in the northern Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun killed dozens of people. That attack prompted the US to launch several
dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles at a Syrian air base. Russia and Syria have blamed Israel for an
attack on a Syrian military airport on Monday that reportedly killed at least 14 people..
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