BRITAIN is today on the brink of war with Syria as Theresa May paved the way for imminent military action against Bashar al-Assad.

The PM suggested the West now has strong proof the tyrant was responsible for a deadly chemical attack which killed dozens of innocent civilians.

5 Theresa May suggested Britain is on the brink of war with Syria Credit: Getty Images - Getty

And she admitted that efforts to hit back against Assad through the United Nations have failed - hinting at a more drastic response.

But Jeremy Corbyn warned that bombing raids on Syria would only make the situation worse and insisted the Government needs MPs' permission to take military action.

Speaking in Birmingham this afternoon, Mrs May said: "We are working with our allies, we have been working to get an understanding of what happened on the ground.

"We are rapidly reaching that understanding.

5 Mrs May was in Birmingham visiting an athletics stadium today Credit: Getty Images - Getty

"All the indications are that the Syrian regime was responsible and we will be working with our closest allies on how we can ensure that those who are responsible are held to account and how we can prevent and deter the humanitarian catastrophe that comes from the use of chemical weapons in the future.

"The continued use of chemical weapons cannot go unchallenged."

She added that she was "appalled" by Russia's attempts to veto UN action against Assad, saying: "There can be no role now for Parliinvestigations by the United Nations."

Mrs May has previously said it was likely that the Syrian regime would prove to be responsible for the attack on Douma, but stressed the need to wait for conclusive evidence.

She has now gone further, in a strong hint that Western allies are nearing the point where they can hit back.

5 The PM during her visit to Birmingham

Earlier today, Donald Trump confirmed that he was planning to deploy missile strikes against the regime, describing Assad as "a gas killing animal who kills his people and enjoys it".

But the Labour leader insisted the PM must not attempt to join the military action without getting permission from the House of Commons.

He said: "Parliament should always be given a say on military action. That’s a case that I’ve made going back many, many years."

And warning that raids on Assad would only make the Syrian civil war even worse, he added: "What happened last weekend was terrible. What we don’t want is bombardment which leads to escalation and leads to a hot war between Russia and America over the skies of Syria."

Mr Corbyn insisted there must be a "political solution" to the carnage in the country as he called for further diplomatic talks.

Senior Tories have also called on Mrs May to hold a Commons vote - backbencher John Baron told the BBC: "If there is going to be significant military intervention then I think parliament has every right to ask questions particularly given our poor track record on previous interventions across the region."

5 Bashar al-Assad is accused of targeting his own people with chemical weapons Credit: EPA

He added: "I think we've been here before and many of us believe we need to approach this in a cautious manner because of the risk of escalation."

Julian Lewis, chairman of the defence select committee, told the Daily Mail: "When we are contemplating military intervention in other people's conflicts, Parliament ought to be consulted."

Ex-Lib Dem boss Tim Farron said: "Theresa May would be making a huge mistake if she decides to follow Donald Trump and commit our country to action without consulting our sovereign Parliament first."

The SNP's Stewart McDonald said it would be a "scandal" to join Mr Trump in millitary action without asking MPs.

In a letter to Mrs May, he added: "We cannot support any action that is not part of an overall strategy to bring the war to an end."

Parliament is not due to meet until Monday - meaning that if the PM waits to consult MPs, Britain will be unable to take action this week.

Some Tory MPs have urged Mrs May to bypass the Commons, fearing Jeremy Corbyn will be able to defeat plans for bombing raids

Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018

5 Donald Trump has vowed to hit back against Assad Credit: AP:Associated Press

The Prime Minister has no legal obligation to seek Parliament's approval before deploying the military.

Mr Trump has vowed to reveal his response to Assad's crimes by the end of today.

Yesterday Mrs May spoke to the French and American presidents, vowing to stand united in the face of the atrocity in the rebel-held town of Douma.

RAF jets are on standby in Cyprus, ready to launch raids on Assad's airbases and chemical weapons facilities.

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In another sign that military action is on the cards, pilots flying from Britain to Cyprus have been warned their flights could be delayed in the next few days.

The European Aviation Security Agency said pilots should be aware of possible air-to-ground strikes or cruise missiles over the next 72 hours.

Officials also warned of "intermittent disruption of radio navigation equipment".