US warns Syria may conduct new chemical attack

The Syrian government may be preparing for another chemical weapons attack, the White House said on Monday.

"As we have previously stated, the United States is in Syria to eliminate the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria," AFP news agency reported, citing spokesman Sean Spicer as saying.

The White House warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of paying "a heavy price" if the government decides to conduct an attack, which is similar to a suspected one took place in April.

Chemical weapons attack in northwestern Syria's Idlib has killed dozens of civilians, including women and children, and the US government strongly condemned the attack in Idlib, calling for "a genuine ceasefire" in the region.