U.S. Intelligence worried about Syria's Chemical Weapons

December 2nd, 2012

09:07 PM ET

Official: 'Worrying signs' regarding Syria's chemical weapons

By Barbara Starr

U.S. intelligence is concerned about the Syrian government's intent regarding its vast chemical weapons stockpiles after what one senior U.S. official described as "worrying signs" of activity in "the last few days."
"There are concerns the regime may be considering use of chemical weapons" the official told CNN. But the official stressed that the Obama administration has not come to a final conclusion about Syria's intent.
"This isn't just about movement, but about potential intent to make certain chemical weapons ready for use." The official admitted it is not entirely clear to the United States what the Syrian government is up to, or if this latest development was ordered specifically by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
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The official, who spoke on the condition no name was used because of the sensitivity of the information discussed, declined to specify the exact intelligence that the United States has gathered in the last few days. The New York Times first reported the concern on Sunday.
Syria is known to store its chemical stockpile, in many instances, separately from the artillery shells, rockets or missiles that would deliver those chemical weapons in an attack.
As rebel fighters continue to make some gains, capturing military assets and territory, U.S. and Middle Eastern intelligence services have been watching for some months for any signs the Syrians would be loading up those weapons with chemical agents.
In recent months the Obama administration has acknowledged at least two instances of Syrian chemical weapons stockpiles being moved but has said it believes those were efforts to put the material in more secure locations as fighting increased.
"We don't know if there is actual intent," the official said about the latest observed activities. "This is worrisome. This is a step beyond moving them around."
The official said if the weapons are used it could mean the red line articulated by President Barack Obama has been breached. If they are used, "this puts us into the contingency of potential U.S. action," the official said.

Post by: By CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr Filed under: Assad • Intelligence • Syria • weapons                                                                end quote from:

Official: 'Worrying signs' regarding Syria's chemical weapons