World War III may be happening sooner than expected.

At about 7:00 a.m. on April 11, President Donald Trump tweeted his reaction to the recent gas attacks in Syria, which are suspected to have been perpetrated by Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and his government, with Russian backing.

This comes on the heels of the aforementioned gas attacks, which killed over 40 people (many of whom were children) at a rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun. Russia has also vetoed the UN from investigating the attacks, as well as stating they will shoot down any U.S. planes and missiles that enter Syrian airspace.

According to the New York Times, Assad has denied the attacks, claiming instead that the rebels fighting him manufactured the video in order to gain international support for their cause.

President Trump, along with UK Prime Minister Theresa May and French Prime Minister Edouard Phillipe, remain vigilant in their claim that the attack was perpetrated by Assad. They cited the chemical attacks perpetrated by Assad in 2012 and 2017.

“It’s crazy that this is still going on,” post-graduate Mike Manley said. “How someone can take the lives of innocents, mainly children, in such a horrible way is beyond me.”

Mike’s sentiment was shared by many, especially the aforementioned countries of the U.S, the UK, and France. President Trump publicly stated during a televised address that “these are not the actions of a man, they are the crimes of a monster instead.”

President Putin of Russia fired back a day later, saying that he would aggressively shoot down any U.S. military or aircraft that attempted strikes on Syrian territory.

Despite this stern warning, on April 13, the combined nations bombed several sites believed to be involved with chemical processing and manufacturing of the weapons. There was no Russian intervention.

The nations are now awaiting Russia’s move, and tensions are high.

“This could start World War III,” Senior Brandon McGill said, “I’m not trying to get drafted and die.”

As of Tuesday, April 17, Russia has not issued any military response, but have sided with Assad, backing up his claims that the chemical weapons attack was not of his doing.