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| Donald Trump's Syrian airstrike 'significant blow to US-Russia relations', says Kremlin – live | Donald Trump's Syrian airstrike 'significant blow to US-Russia relations', says Kremlin – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 10.25am BST | |
| 10:25 | |
| Hillary Clinton called for the United States to “take out” Syrian government-controlled airfields just hours before Donald Trump launched air strikes against Bashar Assad’s regime, PA reports. | |
| Speaking in her first public interview since losing the US election in November last year, Mrs Clinton said Mr Assad’s aerial power had been the key component behind widespread civilian deaths since the start of the civil war in 2011. | |
| President Trump launched a barrage of cruise missiles in the early hours of Friday morning on a Syrian airbase thought to be behind this week’s chemical weapons attack. | |
| Speaking to the New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, Mrs Clinton said she believed the US had been wrong not to have previously launched such an offensive. | |
| She said: “Assad had an air force, and that air force is the cause of most of the civilian deaths, as we have seen over the years and as we saw again in the last few days. | |
| “And I really believe that we should have and still should take out his airfields and prevent him from being able to use them to bomb innocent people and drop Sarin gas on them.” | |
| 10.15am BST | |
| 10:15 | |
| Stephanie Kirchgaessner | |
| Angelino Alfano, the Italian foreign minister, said in a statement that Italy understood the reasons behind US military action and called the strikes a “proportionate” deterrent to the further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime. | |
| Alfano called for a “necessary and urgent” meeting of the UN Security Council - where Italy , a non-permanent member, currently has a vote - and the adoption of a consensus resolution to prevent further atrocities. | |
| He also pointed to Rex Tillerson’s upcoming visit to Moscow, suggesting that the US Secretary of State could encourage Russia to use its influence in Syria and with Assad to agree “a real ceasefire, full humanitarian access and a gradual building of trust between the Syrian parties”. | |
| 10.03am BST | |
| 10:03 | |
| Justin McCurry | |
| Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, said he supported Donald Trump’s “resolve” against the use and proliferation of chemical weapons. | |
| “We understand that the action taken by the United States was designed to prevent the situation (in Syria) from worsening,” Kyodo quoted Abe as saying after a meeting of Japan’s National Security Council. | |
| Abe described Tuesday’s chemical weapons attack on Syrian civilians as “extremely inhumane”, adding that he appreciated Trump’s attempts to address threats to global security, including North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes. | |
| Syria aside, Abe said “the threat from weapons of mass destruction is also growing more serious in East Asia”. | |
| He added: “Japan will coordinate with the United States and the rest of the international community and play its proper role in global peace and stability.” | |
| 9.55am BST | |
| 09:55 | |
| Tom Phillips | |
| China’s Global Times, a nationalist Communist party controlled tabloid that sometimes reflects official views, has published an online editorial criticising Trump’s strikes against Syria.The newspaper says the attack is likely to spark conflict between the US and Russia and “took place despite no definitive results from the investigation by an international organization, and was carried out in the absence of a UN Security Council resolution.”“Trump’s decision to attack the Assad government is a show of force from the US president,” it adds. “He wants to prove that he dares to do what Obama dared not. He wants to prove to the world that he is no ‘businessman president’ and that he will use US military force without hesitation when he considers it necessary.”“This is Trump’s first major move in international affairs, and it leaves an impression that the decision was made in haste,” the newspaper goes on. “The Syrian civil war is entering a new phase. More refugees will flee the region and Europe may have to pay the price.” | |
| 9.47am BST | 9.47am BST |
| 09:47 | 09:47 |
| At least seven dead in airstrike - Syrian official | At least seven dead in airstrike - Syrian official |
| A Syrian official has told the Associated Press that at least seven were killed and nine were wounded in US missile attack on air base. | A Syrian official has told the Associated Press that at least seven were killed and nine were wounded in US missile attack on air base. |
| 9.36am BST | 9.36am BST |
| 09:36 | 09:36 |
| Syria rebels welcome US strike | Syria rebels welcome US strike |
| Jamie Grierson | Jamie Grierson |
| Syrian rebels on Friday welcomed a US strike on a government airbase, but urged additional action, with one powerful faction saying a single strike was “not enough”, AFP reports. | Syrian rebels on Friday welcomed a US strike on a government airbase, but urged additional action, with one powerful faction saying a single strike was “not enough”, AFP reports. |
| “Hitting one airbase is not enough, there are 26 airbases that target civilians,” a key figure in the Army of Islam faction, Mohamed Alloush, said on his Twitter account. | “Hitting one airbase is not enough, there are 26 airbases that target civilians,” a key figure in the Army of Islam faction, Mohamed Alloush, said on his Twitter account. |
| “The whole world should save the Syrian people from the clutches of the killer Bashar (al-Assad) and his aides.” | “The whole world should save the Syrian people from the clutches of the killer Bashar (al-Assad) and his aides.” |
| Other rebel groups welcomed the US strike and called for continued military action against the regime. | Other rebel groups welcomed the US strike and called for continued military action against the regime. |
| “The American strike against the killing tools used by Bashar al-Assad is the first step on the correct path to combating terrorism and we hope it will continue,” said Issam Raes, spokesman for the Southern Front rebel faction. | “The American strike against the killing tools used by Bashar al-Assad is the first step on the correct path to combating terrorism and we hope it will continue,” said Issam Raes, spokesman for the Southern Front rebel faction. |
| “In my opinion, the message is political, and the message has arrived to Russia and been understood,” he told AFP. | “In my opinion, the message is political, and the message has arrived to Russia and been understood,” he told AFP. |
| Colonel Ahmed Osman, of the Turkey-backed Sultan Murad rebel group said: “We welcome any action that will put an end to the regime that is committing the worst crimes in history.” | Colonel Ahmed Osman, of the Turkey-backed Sultan Murad rebel group said: “We welcome any action that will put an end to the regime that is committing the worst crimes in history.” |
| Mohamed Bayrakdar, another leader of the Army of Islam, which operates mainly around the capital Damascus, described the strike as “a bold and correct step.” | Mohamed Bayrakdar, another leader of the Army of Islam, which operates mainly around the capital Damascus, described the strike as “a bold and correct step.” |
| “We welcome any response to the crimes of the regime,” he told AFP. | “We welcome any response to the crimes of the regime,” he told AFP. |
| 9.33am BST | 9.33am BST |
| 09:33 | 09:33 |
| What we know so far | What we know so far |
| Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
| The US has launched a missile strike against Syria, targeting al-Shayrat airbase close to Homs, from where it said this week’s sarin nerve gas attack on Khan Sheikhun was launched. | The US has launched a missile strike against Syria, targeting al-Shayrat airbase close to Homs, from where it said this week’s sarin nerve gas attack on Khan Sheikhun was launched. |
| 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched from warships USS Ross and Porter in the eastern Mediterranean in the early hours of Friday morning. | 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched from warships USS Ross and Porter in the eastern Mediterranean in the early hours of Friday morning. |
| Reports from Homs province said the airbase was destroyed, and six people killed. Some reports said senior officers had evacuated the base before the airstrikes happened. | Reports from Homs province said the airbase was destroyed, and six people killed. Some reports said senior officers had evacuated the base before the airstrikes happened. |
| Donald Trump (read his full comments here) said the strike was a direct response to the chemical weapons attack that killed more than 70 people: | Donald Trump (read his full comments here) said the strike was a direct response to the chemical weapons attack that killed more than 70 people: |
| It is in this vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons. | It is in this vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons. |
| There was an angry response in Russia, where the Kremlin warned that the strikes were a “significant blow to Russian-American relations, which were already in a sorry state”. Moscow called for a meeting of the UN security council to discuss the strikes. | There was an angry response in Russia, where the Kremlin warned that the strikes were a “significant blow to Russian-American relations, which were already in a sorry state”. Moscow called for a meeting of the UN security council to discuss the strikes. |
| Tillerson said Russia bore responsibility for its handling of the 2013 deal that was supposed to remove Assad’s chemical weapons stockpile: | Tillerson said Russia bore responsibility for its handling of the 2013 deal that was supposed to remove Assad’s chemical weapons stockpile: |
| Either Russia has been complicit or Russia has been simply incompetent in its ability to deliver on its end of that agreement. | Either Russia has been complicit or Russia has been simply incompetent in its ability to deliver on its end of that agreement. |
| Tillerson said there had been “no discussions” with Moscow before the strike. But the Pentagon confirmed that Russia – a key Assad ally – had been informed in advance of the strike through military channels: | Tillerson said there had been “no discussions” with Moscow before the strike. But the Pentagon confirmed that Russia – a key Assad ally – had been informed in advance of the strike through military channels: |
| Russian forces were notified in advance of the strike using the established deconfliction line. | Russian forces were notified in advance of the strike using the established deconfliction line. |
| Sources told the Guardian that US intelligence officials believe Russian personnel were at al-Shayrat airbase when sarin was loaded on to a Syrian jet. They have not established whether the Russians knew it was happening. | Sources told the Guardian that US intelligence officials believe Russian personnel were at al-Shayrat airbase when sarin was loaded on to a Syrian jet. They have not established whether the Russians knew it was happening. |
| The UK, Australia, Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and Japan offered strong backing for the US strikes, while Iran condemned the move. France and Germany confirmed they had been informed in advance of the attack, though China warned it opposed the use of force. | The UK, Australia, Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and Japan offered strong backing for the US strikes, while Iran condemned the move. France and Germany confirmed they had been informed in advance of the attack, though China warned it opposed the use of force. |
| Read our latest news story here: | Read our latest news story here: |
| I’m now handing over the live blog to my colleague Jamie Grierson, who will continue to bring you the latest developments. | I’m now handing over the live blog to my colleague Jamie Grierson, who will continue to bring you the latest developments. |
| 9.17am BST | 9.17am BST |
| 09:17 | 09:17 |
| France: 'Assad bears full responsibility' | France: 'Assad bears full responsibility' |
| France was among the countries informed by the US ahead of the strikes, French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said. | France was among the countries informed by the US ahead of the strikes, French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said. |
| “I was told by Rex Tillerson during the night,” Ayrault said, calling the missile strike “a warning [to] a criminal regime”. | “I was told by Rex Tillerson during the night,” Ayrault said, calling the missile strike “a warning [to] a criminal regime”. |
| The office of the French president, François Hollande, issued a statement confirming he had spoken with the German chancellor, Angela Merkel: | The office of the French president, François Hollande, issued a statement confirming he had spoken with the German chancellor, Angela Merkel: |
| The president and the German chancellor held talks on the telephone this morning on the situation in Syria. | The president and the German chancellor held talks on the telephone this morning on the situation in Syria. |
| Following the chemical massacre on April 4 in Khan Sheikhun in the northwest of Syria, a military installation of the Syrian regime used chemical bombing was destroyed last night by US strikes. We have been informed. | Following the chemical massacre on April 4 in Khan Sheikhun in the northwest of Syria, a military installation of the Syrian regime used chemical bombing was destroyed last night by US strikes. We have been informed. |
| Assad bears full responsibility for this development. Its continued use of chemical weapons and mass crimes can not go unpunished … | Assad bears full responsibility for this development. Its continued use of chemical weapons and mass crimes can not go unpunished … |
| France and Germany therefore continue their efforts with partners in the United Nations framework to sanction the most appropriate criminal acts related to the use of chemical weapons banned by all treaties. | France and Germany therefore continue their efforts with partners in the United Nations framework to sanction the most appropriate criminal acts related to the use of chemical weapons banned by all treaties. |
| We call on the international community to come together for a political transition in Syria, in accordance with resolution 2254 of the security council and the Geneva communiqué. | We call on the international community to come together for a political transition in Syria, in accordance with resolution 2254 of the security council and the Geneva communiqué. |
| 9.02am BST | 9.02am BST |
| 09:02 | 09:02 |
| Sources: Russian personnel at airbase before gas attack | Sources: Russian personnel at airbase before gas attack |
| Sources have told the Guardian that US intelligence officials believe Russian personnel were at al-Shayrat airbase when sarin was loaded on to a Syrian jet. They have not established whether the Russians knew it was happening. | Sources have told the Guardian that US intelligence officials believe Russian personnel were at al-Shayrat airbase when sarin was loaded on to a Syrian jet. They have not established whether the Russians knew it was happening. |
| The base covers an area of more than eight square kilometres and has two runways and dozens of buildings, silos and storage facilities. | The base covers an area of more than eight square kilometres and has two runways and dozens of buildings, silos and storage facilities. |
| Syrian opposition figures claim to have identified the pilot allegedly responsible for bombing Khan Sheikhun around 6.30am on 4 April. Five hours later, close to 11.30am, a hospital treating victims from the attack was hit by a conventional bomb, dropped from a jet. | Syrian opposition figures claim to have identified the pilot allegedly responsible for bombing Khan Sheikhun around 6.30am on 4 April. Five hours later, close to 11.30am, a hospital treating victims from the attack was hit by a conventional bomb, dropped from a jet. |
| The sources say that on both occasions, a Russian Sukhoi was monitored by ground radar and aerial reconnaissance flying over the town. Flashes were picked up on the ground, indicating that ordnance had been dropped. | The sources say that on both occasions, a Russian Sukhoi was monitored by ground radar and aerial reconnaissance flying over the town. Flashes were picked up on the ground, indicating that ordnance had been dropped. |
| The air space over northern Syria is monitored heavily by Turkey, the US and Russia, and all three have precise knowledge of whose jets are in the air and where they fly. | The air space over northern Syria is monitored heavily by Turkey, the US and Russia, and all three have precise knowledge of whose jets are in the air and where they fly. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.03am BST | at 9.03am BST |
| 8.56am BST | 8.56am BST |
| 08:56 | 08:56 |
| Eleanor Ainge Roy | Eleanor Ainge Roy |
| New Zealand has joined the list of nations backing the airstrikes, with prime minister Bill English saying the US action was supported by NZ. | New Zealand has joined the list of nations backing the airstrikes, with prime minister Bill English saying the US action was supported by NZ. |
| Foreign minister Murray McCully said: | Foreign minister Murray McCully said: |
| It is becoming clear that Syrian government forces were responsible for the outrageous attacks where chemical weapons were used. | It is becoming clear that Syrian government forces were responsible for the outrageous attacks where chemical weapons were used. |
| These events are horrific. It is critical that the international community emphatically demand an end to this violence, and that the Syrian government be held to account. | These events are horrific. It is critical that the international community emphatically demand an end to this violence, and that the Syrian government be held to account. |
| In the absence of an adequate response from the United Nations security council, we can understand why the United States has taken targeted unilateral action to try and prevent further such attacks by the Syrian regime. | In the absence of an adequate response from the United Nations security council, we can understand why the United States has taken targeted unilateral action to try and prevent further such attacks by the Syrian regime. |
| 8.49am BST | 8.49am BST |
| 08:49 | 08:49 |
| Russia calls for UN security council meeting on strikes | Russia calls for UN security council meeting on strikes |
| Russia (which, along with China, has vetoed previous UN resolutions against Assad) has called for a meeting of the UN security council to discuss the US strikes: | Russia (which, along with China, has vetoed previous UN resolutions against Assad) has called for a meeting of the UN security council to discuss the US strikes: |
| #BREAKING Russia calls for UN Security Council meeting on US Syria strikes | #BREAKING Russia calls for UN Security Council meeting on US Syria strikes |
| Russia also says it is suspending its agreement to communicate with the US over the use of Syrian airspace – possibly a reference to the so-called “deconfliction line”, via which the US military gave Russia warning on Thursday of the missile strikes (more on that here): | Russia also says it is suspending its agreement to communicate with the US over the use of Syrian airspace – possibly a reference to the so-called “deconfliction line”, via which the US military gave Russia warning on Thursday of the missile strikes (more on that here): |
| #BREAKING Russia 'halts' agreement with US to avoid clashes in Syria airspace: ministry | #BREAKING Russia 'halts' agreement with US to avoid clashes in Syria airspace: ministry |
| 8.42am BST | 8.42am BST |
| 08:42 | 08:42 |
| Tom Phillips | Tom Phillips |
| China, which has repeatedly blocked UN resolutions against Assad, has now issued its official response to the US strikes on Syria. | China, which has repeatedly blocked UN resolutions against Assad, has now issued its official response to the US strikes on Syria. |
| Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, the foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying stopped short of explicitly condemning the US air strikes but said China had always been opposed to the “use of force”. | Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, the foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying stopped short of explicitly condemning the US air strikes but said China had always been opposed to the “use of force”. |
| Hua said China also opposed “the use of chemical weapons by any country, organisation or individual, in any circumstance and for any purpose”. | Hua said China also opposed “the use of chemical weapons by any country, organisation or individual, in any circumstance and for any purpose”. |
| There was now an urgent need to prevent a “further deterioration” of the situation in Syria, Hua added. | There was now an urgent need to prevent a “further deterioration” of the situation in Syria, Hua added. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.42am BST | at 8.42am BST |
| 8.33am BST | 8.33am BST |
| 08:33 | 08:33 |
| With the UK, Australia, Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Japan offering strong backing for the US strikes, Indonesia has given a more cautious response. | With the UK, Australia, Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Japan offering strong backing for the US strikes, Indonesia has given a more cautious response. |
| Foreign ministry spokesman Armanatha Nasir told Reuters via text message that Indonesia strongly condemned the use of chemical weapons in Syria, but added: | Foreign ministry spokesman Armanatha Nasir told Reuters via text message that Indonesia strongly condemned the use of chemical weapons in Syria, but added: |
| At the same time, Indonesia is concerned with unilateral actions by any parties, including the use of Tomahawk missiles, in responding to the chemical weapon attack tragedy in Syria. | At the same time, Indonesia is concerned with unilateral actions by any parties, including the use of Tomahawk missiles, in responding to the chemical weapon attack tragedy in Syria. |