Syrian opposition: Prove Obama's words aren't empty

Clashes rage through Syrian city Hama; 7 killed, dozens injured; rebels call on White House to act on statements made by president supporting belief that Syrian President Bashar Assad has used chemical weapons.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Syrian opposition fighter (photo credit: REUTERS/Ward Al-Keswani)
Syrian opposition fighter
(photo credit: REUTERS/Ward Al-Keswani)
Syrian opposition forces have called on the US to back up top officials' assertions that the use of chemical weapons by Syrian President Bashar Assad would represent the crossing of a red line, Israel Radio reported on Friday.
US Republican Sen. John McCain voiced a general sentiment from US officials when he said, "the president of the United States said that if Bashar Assad used chemical weapons, it would be a game changer, that it would cross a red line."
Rebel forces are hopeful that America will support the president's statements and has urged the international community to act to prove that the White House's assurance are not empty words.
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US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel used cautious words yesterday when he said the US intel community does believe sarin gas has been used by Assad, but on a small scale.
There were heated clashes on Thursday as rebels renewed an attack on Hama, a central Syrian city, leaving at least seven dead and many injured.
Herb Keinon and Reuters contributed to this report.