US President Donald Trump has shown guts in launching massive attacks on Syria controlled air bases used for chemical attacks.
US President Donald Trump has shown guts and courage in launching immediate air strikes on Syria controlled air bases that were used in launching dastardly chemical attacks that killed hapless women and children.
Two years ago, Trump’s stand was to stay off Syria
Two years ago, Trump had asked the then President Barack Obama to stay off Syria. But waking up to new reality, Trump had no hesitation going after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in giving a stern message to either control himself or face a risk of attacks.
Though Trump’s attacks drew widespread support from allies, Russia sent out a veiled threat that the US attacks could trigger a massive backlash and also possible world war.
The attacks on Syria is likely to further strain ties between US and Russia
A world war may be a figment of imagination from Moscow, but the attacks on Syria is likely to further strain ties between the two superpowers. But Russia has to wake up to a new reality called Trump who can be a friend one day and a foe on the next.
Early Friday, the US fired dozens of cruise missiles at a government-controlled airbase in Syria. This, the US said, was in retaliation to the chemical weapons attack that carried out by Syria that killed scores of civilians.
The Pentagon confirmed that 59 Tomahawk missiles hit at 3:45am Friday at the Shayrat airfield in Homs province. This was the air base from where Trump believed that Syrian jets took off to drop chemicals on a rebel-held town in Idlib province.
Syria called it an “act of aggression”, while Homs Governor Talal Barazi said the US strike will not affect the Syrian government or its ability to fight what he termed “terrorists”.
The strikes, launched from two warships in the Mediterranean Sea, targeted the base’s airstrips, hangars, control tower and ammunition areas, officials said.
This was the first direct military action the US has taken against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in the six-year war.
“There can be no dispute that Syria used banned chemical weapons, violated its obligations under the chemical weapons convention and ignored the urging of the UN Security Council,” Trump said.
Syria’s opposition National Coalition hailed the US strike, saying it puts an end to an age of “impunity” and should be just the beginning.
The US said initial indications were that the missiles had severely damaged or destroyed Syrian aircraft and support infrastructure and equipment at the airfield.
At least 86 people, including 27 children, were killed after a suspected poison gas attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province on Tuesday, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.