US Officials: Obama Likely To Order Limited Airstrike on Syria

American ships with cruise missile capability are already in the Mediterranean

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- President Obama is likely to order a limited airstrike on Syria to punish it for using nerve gas but won't seek to topple the Assad regime, U.S. officials said.

The strike, whose timing was left open but described as all but inevitable, would likely be conducted with Britain and perhaps other allies, and would probably last only a day or two, officials said.

It would probably involve long-range guided cruise missiles launched from sea or from bomber aircraft, the officials said.