Report: Special Forces to Enter Syria from Jordan to Secure Chemical Stockpiles

Special military forces are currently positioned on the Jordanian-Syrian border and stand ready to enter “some sensitive sites” in Syria with the aim of securing chemical weapons stockpiles, Sky News Arabia quoted a high-ranking source as saying.

“These forces have been trained in terrains that are similar to Syria's geography to guarantee that they would reach their targets with the minimum losses possible,” the source, who did not elaborate on the nationalities of the forces, added.

The source said that Jordanian territory will not be a launchpad for any military strike on the Syrian regime, adding that the bombardment will involve rocket launchers, destroyers and warplanes.

"Military strikes will also target several positions of the terrorist groups that are operating in Syria," the source revealed.

"A buffer zone will be created in southern Syria to accomodate the new numbers of Syrian refugees and Western and Arab fighter jets have been put on alert at the Jordanian-Syrian border as a precaution against any retaliation by the Syrian regime against Jordanian territory," the source added.

Jordan has also deployed Patriot anti-missile systems along its border with Syria, the source said, noting that "the Jordanian army has studied several possible scenarios, including the possibility of using northern Jordan's airspace."

"Should a buffer zone be created in southern Syria, it will be protected by the military forces deployed on the Jordanian-Syrian border," the source added, revealing that "warplanes and modern anti-missile systems have arrived on the Jordanian border as part of the support offered by the Saudi brothers, in addition to U.S. fighters jets and drones."

The United States has ruled out unilateral military action against Syria and is conferring with allies on potential punitive strikes that could last for more than a day, a senior U.S. official said Wednesday.

"Any military action would not be unilateral. It would include international partners," the senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters.

Amid speculation Britain and France would join in the possible strikes, U.S. officials declined to comment on whether the military action under consideration would go beyond the use of cruise missiles and require fighter aircraft to enter Syrian airspace.

"We're exploring every option," the official said.

The official's comments offered the latest sign President Barack Obama and U.S. allies were moving towards military action against Syria over its alleged use of chemical weapons.

Obama's deputies were holding discussions with Turkey, Jordan and other partners on contingency plans in preparation for any retaliation by the Syrian regime in the event of U.S.-led action, the official said.

Washington was looking at "what could likely be the reaction, the consequences" of military action.

"There's a possibility that the Syrian government would use chemical weapons again. I don't think you can discount that," said the official.

Obama's aides were still working to define the precise objective of any potential intervention, a second administration official said.

The purpose of the strikes would likely be aimed at deterring President Bashar Assad's regime from using chemical weapons again and degrading its ability to do so, the second official said.

The Assad regime has warned Washington against intervention but the United States was prepared for possible retaliatory action from Syria or its allies, according to the second official.

"We believe we can manage any Syrian reprisals" or reaction from "outside players," including Iran or Hizbullah in Lebanon, he said.