U.S. Defense Secretary Mattis says Syria retains chemical weapons

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis (C) is greeted by U.S. Ambassador to Qatar Dana Shell Smith (L) and Qatar Ministry of Defense Director of International Cooperation General Abdullah Jumaan al Hamad (R) as he arrives at Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar April 21, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Friday that Syria had dispersed its warplanes in recent days and that it retained chemical weapons, an issue he said would have to be taken up diplomatically.

The United States launched dozens of missiles earlier this month against a Syrian air base in response to a chemical attack that killed 90 people, including 30 children. It says the Syrian government launched the attack from the Shayrat air base.