An Israeli television channel has alleged that Maher al-Assad was behind the chemical attack
The brother of President Bashar
al-Assad has been accused of being behind the chemical weapons attack
which killed thousands of Syrians.
Maher al-Assad, a feared figure within the regime, has not been seen for more than a year.
But
an Israeli television channel has alleged that he was behind the attack
which killed up to 1,200 in Damascus last week - including many
children.
The
commander of the 10,000 strong Republican Guard and the Fourth Armoured
Division Maher has been a core figure in Syria's two and half year civil
war.
The Channel 2 news report claimed that the shelling originated from the base of the Fourth Armoured Division, just south of Damascus.
Syria has denied using stocks of sarin to shell the area.
It
would not be the first time that Maher - said to be his brother's
'enforcer' - had been linked with some of the war's bloodiest episodes,
the Guardian reports.
Maher
Assad, who is known for his brutality and commands key government units
fighting against the Syrian rebels, was injured in the Damascus bombing
on July 18, 2012, which also claimed the life of his brother-in-law
Assef Shawkat and the defence minister Dawoud Rajha.
It has been reported that at the time of the 2011 uprising Maher was spotted shooting at unarmed protesters.
Said to be violent and and quick
tempered, Maher trained at the Damascus military academy with elder
brother and heir to the presidency, Bassel, the Telegraph reports.
David Cameron has insisted any military action in Syria would be to prevent the future use of chemical weapons
It was thought that Maher was to
replace Bassel when he was killed in a car crash in 1994. But the
ruthless and 'hot-headed' Maher was bypassed for his older brother
Bashar.
It comes as it was today reported that Britain and the U.S. could launch missile strikes on Syria as early as Friday.
But
David Cameron today insisted any military action in Syria would be to
prevent the future use of chemical weapons as he warned Britain was not
looking to get involved in 'a Middle Eastern war'.
The
Prime Minister said the Syrian regime had used chemical weapons on 10
other occasions before the attack that killed up to 1,200 in Damascus
last week and warned the world 'should not stand idly by'.
Hundreds died in the alleged chemical attacks on Wednesday, including many women and children
Activists say that somewhere near 1,300 were
killed in the chemical weapons attack on Wednesday near Damascus. Syria
has one of the largest stockpiles of chemical weapons of any country
The Prime Minister said the Syrian regime had
used chemical weapons on 10 other occasions before the attack that
killed up to 1,200 in Damascus last week and warned the world 'should
not stand idly by'
Meanwhile, U.S.
Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said its armed forces were in place in the
region and was 'ready to go' should President Barack Obama order
action.
Reports in America suggest they could lead missile strikes from as early as Thursday.
But
the tyrannical al-Assad regime has warned it will fight back with 'all
means available' and its foreign secretary said attacking the country to
help rebels in their war with the state was 'delusional'.
Earlier
today, Mr Cameron announced Parliament would be recalled four days
early, on Thursday, to debate the crisis, followed by a vote by MPs on
what action to take against president al-Assad.
dailymail.co.uk
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