7 years ago
US-led forces carried out a wave of air strikes against Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime on Saturday in response to alleged chemical weapons attacks that President Donald Trump branded the "crimes of a monster." As US President Donald Trump embarked on a White House address to announce the action -- taken in defiance of Russia's threat to respond -- explosions were heard in the Syrian capital Damascus, signalling a new chapter in a brutal seven-year-old civil war. Syrian state media slammed Western strikes on Saturday as illegal and "doomed to fail," after the US, France, and Britain launched a joint operation against the Damascus government.
According to AFP, several consecutive blasts were heard at 4:00 am (0100 GMT), followed by the sound of airplanes overhead. Smoke could be seen rising from the northern and eastern edges of the capital.
According to AFP, several consecutive blasts were heard at 4:00 am (0100 GMT), followed by the sound of airplanes overhead. Smoke could be seen rising from the northern and eastern edges of the capital.
Here are the highlights on US-led strikes in response to Syria's chemical attack:
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Vows To "Crush Terrorism" (File photo)
"This aggression will only make Syria and its people more determined to keep fighting and crushing terrorism in every inch of the country," Assad in his first reaction to the strikes, told Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani.
"Mission Accomplished": Donald Trump Praises Syria Strikes By US And AlliesPresident Donald Trump on Saturday praised the pre-dawn strikes against Syria carried out jointly by the US, Britain and France, saying they "could not have had a better result."
Western air strikes on Syria could let terrorism expand: Iraq
Donald Trump says Syria strikes 'could not have had a better result' : AFP
France says it has 'solid intelligence' Syrian regime behind chemical attack
Russia May Consider Supplying S-300 Missile Systems To SyriaRussia may consider supplying S-300 missile systems to Syria and other countries, Colonel-General Sergei Rudskoi said on Saturday after U.S., French and British air strikes on Syria."
A Syrian woman carries the portrait of President Bashar al-Assad, as she gathers at the Umayyad Square in Damascus
Russia calls emergency session of UNSC over strikes: Kremlin
Russia said it was calling an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council over Western strikes on Syria. "Russia is calling an emergency session of the UN Security Council to discuss the aggressive actions of the US and its allies," the Kremlin said in a statement.
Theresa May Will Update Parliament On Syria Strikes: UK Defence MinisterBritish Prime Minister Theresa May needed to act with speed when she ordered a missile attack on Syria and she will update parliament on Monday, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson told BBC radio."
What we know
- US, British and French "naval and air assets" took part in the strikes
- Strikes were aimed at "chemical weapons infrastructure" in Syria
- A scientific research facility in Damascus, a chemical weapons storage facility west of the city of Homs and a third location that contained both a command post and a chemical weapons equipment storage facility in the same area were among the targets
- The US reportedly used B-1 bombers in the strikes, but the American military declined to provide specifics.
- Syria fired surface-to-air missiles in response to the attacks
- Russia's foreign ministry said the strikes came as Syria -- which has been wracked by seven years of civil war -- had "a chance of a peaceful future
Over 100 missiles fired at Syria, 'significant number' intercepted: Russian defence ministry
Israel says US-led strikes have enforced Syria red line
US-led strikes in Syria have enforced a red line set for President Bashar al-Assad on the use of chemical weapons, an Israeli official said on Saturday.
"Last year, President Trump made clear that the use of chemical weapons crosses a red line. Tonight, under American leadership, the United States, France and the United Kingdom enforced that line," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"Syria continues to engage in and provide a base for murderous actions, including those of Iran, that put its territory, its forces and its leadership at risk," the official said.
Russian Lawmaker: US Strikes On Syria Violate International LawUS, British and French air strikes on Syria are a violation of international law and are likely meant to prevent investigators from the global chemical weapons watchdog from doing their work, a senior Russian lawmaker was quoted by Interfax as saying on Saturday."
Iran warns of 'regional consequences' of Syria strikes
Décollage, cette nuit, des forces armées françaises qui interviennent contre l'arsenal chimique clandestin du régime syrien. Déclaration du Président de la République @EmmanuelMacron : https://t.co/HNSK0FmZIO pic.twitter.com/DEAW7R50aC
- Élysée (@Elysee) April 14, 2018
US-Led Strikes Hit Bases Around Syria Capital, Centre: Syrian Observatory for Human RightsWestern strikes early Saturday hit Syrian military bases and research centres in and around the capital and the country's centre, a monitor said, as the US, France, and Britain announced a joint operation."
Photo shows a Syrian regime soldier
- Nidalgazaui (@Nidalgazaui) April 14, 2018
next to the remains of a #US cruise missile somewhere in #Damascus pic.twitter.com/Epm8pUb5hw
Key Quotes From Donald Trump's Address On SyriaPresident Donald Trump late Friday announced the launch of a joint US-British-French operation targeting Syria's "criminal" regime in retaliation for a suspected chemical attack that he called a "significant escalation" in the crisis."
- AFP news agency (@AFP) April 14, 2018
Syria Says Joint Attack 'Flagrant Violation,' 'Doomed To Fail'Syrian state media slammed Western strikes on Saturday as illegal and "doomed to fail," after the US, France, and Britain launched a joint operation against the Damascus government."
Syria and its allies Russia and Iran lambasted the air strikes as a breach of international law and said the attack had targeted army depots in the Homs area.
"The tripartite aggression is a flagrant violation of international law," state news agency SANA said.
Russia has warned of 'consequences' after US-led strikes on Syria.
#WHOA! This footage shows the moment when several cruise missles targeted the military research center in #Barzeh. #Syria pic.twitter.com/kBesV4Rxxv
- Nidalgazaui (@Nidalgazaui) April 14, 2018
President @EmmanuelMacron has ordered French armed forces to intervene in Syria, in an international operation with the US and the UK targeting the Syrian regime's clandestine chemical weapons arsenal.
- French Embassy U.S. (@franceintheus) April 14, 2018
Read the full statement (in French) pic.twitter.com/E7b6h1JblU
The strikes were the biggest intervention by Western powers against Assad in the country's seven-year-old civil war and pitted the United States and its allies against Russia, which itself intervened in the war in 2015 to back Assad.
Airspace in the eastern Mediterranean and Syria now vs. last week, same time (0200 UTC). No significant impact on commercial flights due to time of day and flights already avoiding the area.
- Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) April 14, 2018
🗺 https://t.co/cHEidSexMj pic.twitter.com/3Y2CIpLJOm
+100 missiles would have been used in #Syria according to the defense secretary of state. #Syria
- Strategic News (@StrategicNews1) April 14, 2018
No additional attacks planned in Syria, says Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis
Another video of airstrikes in Damascus #Syria pic.twitter.com/plUtB8AFuh
- Arturas Kerelis (@arturaskerelis) April 14, 2018
The #US announce that the strike wave is over. #Syria
- Strategic News (@StrategicNews1) April 14, 2018
Western Strikes Hit Bases, Chemical Research Centres Around Damascus: MonitorSyria's air defence systems activated early Saturday, state television reported, as US President Donald Trump announced a joint operation had been launched against the Damascus government."
We thank our allies for their contributions and support. We pray for our troops as they carry out their mission, for those suffering in #Syria and for the region to bring a future of dignity and peace.
- Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) April 14, 2018
Another video of airstrikes in Damascus #Syria pic.twitter.com/plUtB8AFuh
- Arturas Kerelis (@arturaskerelis) April 14, 2018
🔴 Summary of places and areas affected by missiles #US near #Damascus. #Syria pic.twitter.com/zWBhGXBTCp
- Strategic News (@StrategicNews1) April 14, 2018
No reports of US losses in Syria operation, says Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis
A civilian housing complex has been hit in #syria pic.twitter.com/eLQuTb5elG
- Arturas Kerelis (@arturaskerelis) April 14, 2018
Confirmed: Targeting of Hezbollah terrorist sites in the city of Kiswa, Rif Dimashq. #syria
- Arturas Kerelis (@arturaskerelis) April 14, 2018
Syria Attack: France's Macron Says 'Cannot Tolerate Normalisation Of Chemical Weapons' In SyriaFrench President Emmanuel Macron said late Friday that France had joined the US and Britain in an ongoing operation against Syria with strikes to target "the capacities of the Syrian regime to produce and use chemical weapons"."
Four Tornado jets fired Storm Shadow missiles "at a military facility -- a former missile base -- some fifteen miles west of Homs, where the regime is assessed to keep chemical weapon precursors," Britain's defence ministry said in a statement.
Photo of a research center hit by a #US missile at #Damascus. #Syria pic.twitter.com/Cgmz4oBczu
- Strategic News (@StrategicNews1) April 14, 2018
Mount Qasion #Syria pic.twitter.com/fal1eIxPMC
- Arturas Kerelis (@arturaskerelis) April 14, 2018
Several huge explosions were heard in Syria's capital early Saturday, AFP's correspondent there said, as US President Donald Trump announced strikes on the country were under way.
Unconfirmed reports announce that a missile reportedly targeted a #Hezbollah base in Al-Qusayr locality in southwestern #Homs. #Syria pic.twitter.com/OcmtcMrY8f
- Strategic News (@StrategicNews1) April 14, 2018
Right now in Damascus #Syria pic.twitter.com/pcmdNoSXv5
- Arturas Kerelis (@arturaskerelis) April 14, 2018
Breaking: Another explosion in #Syria pic.twitter.com/8T1vfqjEd3
- Arturas Kerelis (@arturaskerelis) April 14, 2018
Photo of missile in #Syria heading to intercept American missile. pic.twitter.com/os83qhVLJ8
- Arturas Kerelis (@arturaskerelis) April 14, 2018
British PM Theresa May said she had authorised British armed forces "to conduct co-ordinated and targeted strikes to degrade the Syrian regime's chemical weapons capability."
The military action is not about intervening in Syria's civil war or changing its government, she said.
The operation by the three allies came after a poison gas attack in Syria that killed at least 60 people last week.
Donald Trump said a combined operation with France and Britain was under way and that they were prepared to sustain the response until Syria stopped its use of chemical weapons.
A second witness said the Barzah district of Damascus had been hit in the strikes. Barzah is the location of a major Syrian scientific research centre.
At least six loud explosions were heard in Damascus and smoke was seen rising over the Syrian capital, news agency Reuters said.
The United States is using Tomahawk cruise missiles in its strikes in Syria, and taking aim at multiple targets in the country, a U.S. official told Reuters on Friday, without disclosing whether U.S. aircraft were also involved in strikes.
President Donald Trump announced late Friday that a joint US-British-French operation had been launched on Syria, targeting the "criminal" regime of Bashar al-Assad and saying an alleged chemical attack had marked a "significant escalation."
"A short time ago, I ordered the United States armed forces to launch precision strikes on targets associated with the chemical weapons capabilities of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad," Trump said in a primetime televised address to the nation.
A combined operation with the armed forces of France and the United Kingdom is now under way. We thank them both. This massacre was a significant escalation in a pattern of chemical weapons use by that very terrible regime."
