DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A Syrian state-run newspaper yesterday called President Barack Obama’s decision to seek congressional approval before taking military action against Bashar Assad’s regime “the start of the historic American retreat.”

The gloating tone in the front-page article in the Al-Thawra daily followed Obama’s unexpected announcement on Saturday that he would ask Congress to support a strike punishing the Assad regime for allegedly unleashing chemical weapons on rebel-held suburbs of Damascus last week. The decision marked a stark turnabout for the White House, which had appeared on the verge of ordering US forces to launch a missile attack against Syria.

“Whether the Congress gives the red or green light for an aggression, and whether the prospects of war have been enhanced or faded, President Obama announced yesterday, by prevaricating or hinting, the start of the historic American retreat,” Al-Thawra said.

The paper, which as a government outlet reflects regime thinking, also claimed that Obama’s reluctance to take military action stems from his “sense of implicit defeat and the disappearance of his allies”. The daily said the American leader worries about limited intervention turning into “an open war has pushed him to seek Congress’ consent”.

Syria’s minister for reconciliation issues, Ali Haidar, echoed that line.

“Obama has given himself a chance to take a step backward by talking about Congress’ approval and to search for other parties to participate in the attack,” Haidar told The Associated Press by telephone. “In other words, he wants to keep brandishing the sword of aggression on Syria without fully giving up the idea of an attack and even without setting a definite date for the aggression.”

Over the past week, the US Navy moved warships into the eastern Mediterranean as

the Obama administration considered its options. But with everything in place, Obama opted to take get the backing of Congress before launching military strikes, saying he believes taking

that path will make the

US “stronger”.

Congress is scheduled to return from a summer break on Sept 9, and in anticipation of the coming debate, Obama challenged lawmakers to consider “what message will we send if a dictator can gas hundreds of children to death in plain sight and pay no price.”

The White House has sent Congress a draft of a resolution seeking approval for a military response to “deter, disrupt, prevent and degrade” the Assad regime’s ability to use chemical weapons going forward. The Senate will hold hearings next week so a vote can take place after Congress gets back to work.

The president’s strategy carries enormous risks to his and the nation’s credibility, which the administration has argued forcefully is on the line in Syria. Obama long ago said the use of chemical weapons was a “red line” that Assad would not be allowed to cross with impunity.

For some in Syria’s opposition who had put great hope in US strikes, Obama’s decision to postpone proved a source of despair and prolonged the torment of when — and if — Washington will act.

“Obama’s speech yesterday made us feel worthless,” said 29-year-old Damascus resident Nasib, who gave only his first name for fear of reprisals.

“The government here doesn’t care, they’re genuinely not scared, they’re not gloating. So it’s only provocative to us people who sit here scared, not knowing when to expect the strike,” he said. “I had to tape my windows so they wouldn’t break. I know people who prepared sleeping pills to give to their kids the night of the attack so they can sleep and not be scared.”

For others, Obama’s choice was seen as simply business as usual from a country that they say has done nothing to halt the massive trauma and bloodshed gripping Syria.

“We weren’t putting too much hope in the US strike,” said Mohammed al-Tayeb, an opposition activist in Eastern Ghouta. “America was never a friend of ours, they’re still an enemy.”

In the build-up to the potential strikes, the opposition and Damascus residents say the Assad regime moved it troops and military equipment out of bases to civilian areas.

The main Western-backed opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition, said in a statement Sunday that the army repositioned rocket launchers, artillery and other heavy weapons inside residential neighbourhoods in cities nationwide.