Syria Strikes: US-led forces launched strikes a week after an alleged chemical attack. (AFP)
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.
Here are the highlights on US-led strikes in response to Syria's chemical attack:
Apr 14, 2018 19:04 (IST)
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.
Western air strikes on Syria could let terrorism expand: Iraq
Apr 14, 2018 18:06 (IST)
Donald Trump says Syria strikes 'could not have had a better result' : AFP
Apr 14, 2018 14:49 (IST)
France says it has 'solid intelligence' Syrian regime behind chemical attack
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Apr 14, 2018 14:41 (IST)
Russia May Consider Supplying S-300 Missile Systems To Syria Russia 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."
Apr 14, 2018 14:29 (IST)
A Syrian woman carries the portrait of President Bashar al-Assad, as she gathers at the Umayyad Square in Damascus
Apr 14, 2018 13:25 (IST)
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.
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
Apr 14, 2018 10:47 (IST)
Over 100 missiles fired at Syria, 'significant number' intercepted: Russian defence ministry
Apr 14, 2018 10:47 (IST)
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.
Apr 14, 2018 10:30 (IST)
Russian Lawmaker: US Strikes On Syria Violate International Law US, 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."
Apr 14, 2018 10:21 (IST)
Iran warns of 'regional consequences' of Syria strikes
Key Quotes From Donald Trump's Address On Syria President 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."