Kerry: Syrian regime planned for chemical attack

Secretary of State John Kerry makes a statement about Syria at the State Department in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. Kerry said the U.S. knows, based on intelligence, that the Syrian regime carefully prepared for days to launch a chemical weapons attack. AP

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State John Kerry says the U.S. knows, based on intelligence, that the Syrian regime carefully prepared for days to launch a chemical weapons attack.

A U.S. chemical weapons assessment says 1,429 people were killed in the attack, including at least 426 children

Kerry says Syrian regime personnel were at the site of the attack for three days beforehand, making preparations. He says regime elements were told to prepare by putting on gas masks.

Kerry says the U.S. also knows where the rockets were launched from. He says the rockets came from regime-controlled areas.

The U.S. is releasing a public report on intelligence gathered about last week’s deadly attack.

President Barack Obama is preparing for a possible military strike in response.