US Secretary of State John Kerry delivered a powerful and harsh message Monday night, accusing the Assad regime of the "heinous crime" of chemical warfare on civilians. “Our understanding is grounded in facts and common sense,” he said: This regime held custody of those weapons, had the rockets to use them and was capable of doing so. “Basic humanity is offended by this crime and even more by the attempts to cover it up. “The US will hold those responsible accountable,” Kerry vowed.