Donald Trump ordered air strikes in response to a chemical weapons attack in Syria. Britain and France have joined the U.S. in the attack. Trump announced the strikes from the White House.
Explosions could be seen and heard around Damascus.
BREAKING FOOTAGE: SYRIAN AIR-DEFENSES ARE DEFENDING THE SKY OF DAMASCUS pic.twitter.com/1O1F8LQPz7
— Majd Fahd ?? (@Syria_Protector) April 14, 2018
With Russians on the ground, this is a very dangerous situation. Congress should have been consulted.https://t.co/EpYAW0FhYR via @HuffPostPol
— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) April 14, 2018
From The Washington Post:
- The attack raised the possibility of retaliation by Russia or Iran, which also provides military support to Assad, threatening in particular to increase the risks facing a force of 2,000 Americans in Syria as part of the battle against the Islamic State.
- While the United States has not been at war with the Syrian government, U.S. troops often operate in proximity to Iranian- or Russian-backed groups.
"Last year, we conducted a unilateral strike on the single site. This evening, we conducted strikes with two allies on multiple sites that will result in a long-term degradation of Syria's capability to research, develop and deploy chemical and biological weapons." pic.twitter.com/RsK6nEz5fl
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 14, 2018