That attack triggered a swift decision by Trump to launch a fusillade of Tomahawk missiles at a Syrian airbase.

In response to media reports that Russia forces would be able to shoot down any US missiles fired at Syrian targets, Trump tweeted Wednesday morning: "Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and 'smart!"'

President Trump has sent mixed messages on the U.S. response, warning Russia in a tweet Wednesday to "get ready" for U.S. missile strikes in Syria in retaliation for the attack. "He will, everybody will". Jim Inhofe, an Oklahoma Republican, said the US should "go over and bomb". "It's a miscalculation. Any clash between Russian and U.S. militaries will expand beyond a local conflict and an escalation will be inevitable".

The U.S., France and Britain have been in extensive consultations about launching a military strike as early as the end of this week, U.S. officials have said.

It was assumed chemical weapon sites would be the only major targets of a US-led sea and air strike.

"As other nations step up their contributions, we look forward to the day when we can bring our warriors home", Trump said. "Or is the trick to destroy all the traces with a smart missile strike and then there will be no evidence for international inspectors to look for?" In fact, General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said no additional attacks were planned.

Syrian government forces have taken full control over the town of Douma, the last rebel stronghold in the eastern Ghouta enclave outside Damascus, Russian news agencies reported on Thursday, citing a Russian military official.

The World Health Organisation said that approximately 500 patients showed signs of exposure to toxic chemicals following the attack on Douma. He added on a combative note that the situation offers a "good chance to test them in conditions of real combat".

Iranian and Russian allies are effectively running Syria in his absence, it is claimed. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. "We are watching what Russians do in the next 24 hours", the official said, adding that there will be intelligence collection to see what Russians are up to in the wake of the strikes, such as turning on their systems or talking about retaliating.

"They agreed to keep working closely together on the international response". The French president said he would decide soon whether to back a military response. "Our strategy is about keeping the problems of Syria from bleeding out elsewhere". And he insisted it remains U.S. policy not to be involved directly in Syria's civil war.

"There's a big difference between a stated policy goal and an attainable strategic objective", he said.

But it's also one that Trump's millions of supporters bought into in 2016. He's a genocidal war-crime leader.

May said she would chair a meeting of Britain's National Security Council.

The alleged chemical attack took place in Douma last Saturday.

It's not that they reject freedom and individual liberty, it's that they have no understanding of the concept.

Macron went further in an interview with France's TF1, suggesting the gas used was chlorine.

With punitive US military action seemingly imminent, Russia scrambled to deflect blame from Syria's Bashar al-Assad and, according to a monitor group, regime forces evacuated key defense buildings in Damascus.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Wednesday that the President has "very deep concern about the direction that the special counsel and other investigations have taken". The attack killed dozens of women and children. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday that Moscow has "irrefutable information that it was another fabrication".

Mattis disclosed that the U.S. had not yet confirmed that the most recent suspected Syrian chemical weapons attack, on April 7 in the Damascus suburb of Douma, included the use of sarin gas.

While denouncing Mr Assad, Mr Trump, Mr Macron and others have made it clear that their main goal is making sure Islamic State never recovers from its battlefield reverses.