At least 239 are dead in fighting Monday across Syria , opposition activists say . The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 100 people were killed and more than 200 wounded as government forces shelled the town of Rastan near Damascus. `` I want to make it absolutely clear to Assad and those under his command -- the world is watching , '' President Barack Obama said during a speech at the National Defense University in Washington . `` The use of chemical weapons is and would be totally unacceptable . Syrian forces are mixing chemical warfare agents , says a U.S. official . The Syrian Foreign Ministry denies plans to use such weapons .
At least 239 are dead in fighting Monday across Syria , opposition activists say . The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 100 people were killed and more than 200 wounded as government forces shelled the town of Rastan near Damascus. Syrian forces are mixing chemical warfare agents , says a U.S. official . The Syrian Foreign Ministry denies plans to use such weapons .