The news broke over the weekend that yet again, there are civilians in Douma, Syria, who are dead as of a result of a suspected chemical weapon attack. The Syrian government, under the control of the dictator Bashar Assad, denies it was their doing.

But the results of the attack have left at least 40 civilians – including children – dead, though some reports have the death toll as high as 100.

Those in the rebel-held Syrian enclave of Douma say they immediately knew their region had again been assaulted by chemical weapons — and something stronger than just chlorine.

Ahmed Saleh, a 26-year-old volunteer with the Syrian Civil Defense — also known as the White Helmets — told Fox News that the suspect rockets landed in an area called Al Shohada Square around 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

“There was a strong smell, and we entered one of the shelters to help the civilians there, but I couldn’t go all the way because I felt the symptoms of suffocation, difficulty breathing; my tears began to fall profusely,” he recalled. “We, paramedics, saw everyone in the shelter lying on the ground. I do not know whether they were dead or alive, but none of them were moving.”

A #WhiteHelmet expresses his grief with a heart and message of love and solidarity reading #Douma In My heart in the wake of the heinous chemical massacre on Douma. #Assad_Bombing_Douma_Chemical pic.twitter.com/HPxfDOGzGK

— The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) April 8, 2018

The images being tweeted out of the dead and injured via The White Helmets’ Twitter account are simply devastating.

Another Video showing cases of suffocation among civilians, mostly children and women, following the chemical attack against the civilians in #Douma city. #AssadHitsDoumaWithChemicals pic.twitter.com/ItEpVLq5zM

— The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) April 8, 2018

While Assad’s government claims they didn’t do this (backed by Russia, naturally), the question becomes what does the United States do about this? Remember that Syria is an Obama administration problem, complete with red lines, that never got any kind of resolution before he left office. Assad is still in power, backed and aided and abetted by Vladimir Putin. The Trump administration, especially UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, has consistently called out Syria and Russia in open forum. But here we are all over again.

Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018

….to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018

We along with 8 other members have called for an emergency Security Council mtg tomorrow in reference to the horrible chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians in Syria. This is becoming all too common. Strong action is needed. pic.twitter.com/Vt3L5fjVla

— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) April 8, 2018

Despite Senator John McCain’s complaint that Trump is withdrawing from Syria while it is still a wreck (while also pointing out that Syria is part of Obama’s legacy)…

“President Trump last week signaled to the world that the United States would prematurely withdraw from Syria. Bashar Assad and his Russian and Iranian backers have heard him, and emboldened by American inaction, Assad has reportedly launched another chemical attack against innocent men, women and children, this time in Douma. Initial accounts show dozens of innocent civilians, including children, have been targeted by this vicious bombardment designed to burn and choke the human body and leave victims writhing in unspeakable pain.

“Crimes against humanity have become Assad’s trademarks in his relentless campaign against the people of Syria that has killed more than half a million people and forced 11 million from their homes. President Trump was quick to call out Assad today, along with the Russian and Iranian governments, on Twitter. The question now is whether he will do anything about it. The President responded decisively when Assad used chemical weapons last year. He should do so again, and demonstrate that Assad will pay a price for his war crimes.

“To be sure, President Trump inherited bad options after years of inaction by his predecessor in Syria. History will render a bitter judgment on America for that failure. But no one should believe we are out of options. We can and should change course – starting with a comprehensive strategy that lays out clear objectives for our mission there. It’s not too late to stop Assad’s impunity and begin to rewrite this terrible chapter in our history.”

… the problem is that we are not actually at war with Syria, and Trump may have been on shaky legal ground when he bombed a Syrian airfield last year. So, what do we actually do? Is Congress prepared to commit American troops and American dollars to remove Assad and then…. ???? This sounds dangerously like Iraq, the sequel. And it won’t be just one Saddam Hussein to take down. Assad is quite well protected between his Russian and Iranian friends. This has all the potential of a worldwide conflict.

In the meantime, someone has started bombing a Syrian airbase.

VIDEO of Jets over #Lebanon crossing to #Syria , sent to me by Lebanese trusted colleague, taken 38 min ago https://t.co/FSZINNvH81

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) April 9, 2018

Regime sources are reporting that Assad's T4 Airbase in Homs is under attack. Earlier @Joyce_Karam reported jets flying east from the Mediterranean across Jounieh, Lebanon. Identity of the attackers not yet known. #Syria

— Idrees Ahmad (@im_PULSE) April 9, 2018

Reports of airstrikes against T4 airbase in central Syria. Base was one of Russia's primary operations centres during anti-ISIS campaign. Likely to still host some Russian equipment, possibly personnel.

— Neil Hauer (@NeilPHauer) April 9, 2018

But it wasn’t the United States….

BREAKING: U.S. officials: The United States is not carrying out airstrikes in Syria

— The Associated Press (@AP) April 9, 2018

BREAKING: Syrian news agency: Air defenses confronted missile attack on air base in central Syria, shot down 8 missiles.

— The Associated Press (@AP) April 9, 2018

Odds are good that these airstrikes might have been the handiwork of the Israeli Defense Force.

Unsure what (plane/missile) or who conducted the strikes, but there are three air forces expected to hit Syria: Israel, France, and USA. IAF jet or US Tomahawk missile most likely at present.

— Neil Hauer (@NeilPHauer) April 9, 2018

Pentagon has issued a denial. Points to IAF as most likely culprit. They also hit this base last month after Iranian drone incursion from here. Israel taking advantage of Douma chem attack opening for further strikes. Syria's wild ride gets wilder.

— Neil Hauer (@NeilPHauer) April 9, 2018

Syrian state TV claims that they shot down "eight missiles" inbound towards T4 airbase might need some, uh, workshopping after US officials again deny any Tomahawk launches tonight.

— Neil Hauer (@NeilPHauer) April 9, 2018

Russian media also running with the claim that "Syrian anti-aircraft defences repelled a rocket attack" and that "no damage was caused to the airbase." Going to age worse than Bashar's lisp. pic.twitter.com/FEmwa9Lqe9

— Neil Hauer (@NeilPHauer) April 9, 2018

That emergency meeting that is being called at the UN today to address the chemical attack just got a whole lot more interesting.