By — Robert Burns, Associated Press Robert Burns, Associated Press By — Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/mattis-defeating-islamic-state-still-top-u-s-priority Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Mattis: Defeating Islamic State still top U.S. priority Politics Apr 11, 2017 5:35 PM EDT Video by PBS NewsHour WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says the U.S. cruise missile strike on a Syrian air base does not signal a change in the Pentagon’s military campaign there, which is focused on defeating the Islamic State group and al-Qaida remnants. At his first Pentagon news conference as defense chief, Mattis said the U.S. strike was meant only to demonstrate Washington’s intolerance of violations of an international convention against the use of chemical weapons. The Syrian government has denied that it used chemical arms in an attack on a Syrian town last week. Mattis said that if Syria were to use chemical weapons again it would “pay a very, very stiff price.” READ MORE: 5 important stories that are totally free of politics We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Robert Burns, Associated Press Robert Burns, Associated Press By — Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press
Video by PBS NewsHour WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says the U.S. cruise missile strike on a Syrian air base does not signal a change in the Pentagon’s military campaign there, which is focused on defeating the Islamic State group and al-Qaida remnants. At his first Pentagon news conference as defense chief, Mattis said the U.S. strike was meant only to demonstrate Washington’s intolerance of violations of an international convention against the use of chemical weapons. The Syrian government has denied that it used chemical arms in an attack on a Syrian town last week. Mattis said that if Syria were to use chemical weapons again it would “pay a very, very stiff price.” READ MORE: 5 important stories that are totally free of politics We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now