‘World War III or not, Syria will retaliate’

Syria said it had taken “every measure” to retaliate if hit by a feared US-led military strike and would never give in, even if a third world war erupts.

Deputy foreign minister Faisal Muqdad also insisted that Russia had not wavered in its support, despite comments by President Vladimir Putin suggesting a more conciliatory tone towards the West.

“Syria has taken every measure to retaliate against . . . an aggression,” he said, although he refused to provide any clue as to what that might mean.