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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)
8.33am BST
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.
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.
8.27am BST
08:27
Fallon: no UK military intervention in Syria
Jamie Grierson
Fallon ruled out UK military intervention in Syria:
We’ve all got to work much harder. We’re not committed to military action against Syria. Our parliament considered that before back in 2013 and turned it down.
But we are involved in trying to get a political settlement in Syria and we will all be working harder to do that now.
He called on Russia to use its influence to bring violence in Syria to an end.
8.23am BST
08:23
Jamie Grierson
The UK defence secretary Michael Fallon has told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:
Our reaction is we fully support what the Americans have done. It’s limited; it’s wholly appropriate.
Fallon said the UK was not asked by the Americans to “get involved” in any action against the Assad regime.
James Mattis, Fallon’s US counterpart, made it clear it was a US operation, he said.
Fallon said the US “has not declared war” on Syria:
The Americans have made it clear the attack last night was limited.
But he said the “message” the UK government took from the action was that if Assad used chemical weapons again, the Americans would respond again.
Updated
at 8.38am BST
8.15am BST
08:15
Six dead in strike: Syrian army
Reuters reports a statement from the Syrian army, which says the missile strikes killed six people and caused “big material losses”.
The army accuses the US of “blatant aggression” against the airbase, and says its response will be to continue to “crush terrorism” and restore “peace and security to all Syria”.
8.10am BST
08:10
Japan has become the latest country to offer backing for the US strikes against the Syrian airbase, joining the UK, Australia, Israel, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
The Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, said the nerve gas attack earlier this week justified the retaliation:
Many innocent people became victims from the chemical attacks. The international community was shocked by the tragedy that left many young children among the victims.
Japan supports the US government’s determination to prevent the spread and use of chemical weapons.
Updated
at 8.22am BST
8.03am BST8.03am BST
08:0308:03
Communication between the US and Russia ahead of the strikes took place via the so-called “deconfliction line”, which is controlled by the US military and operates out of the al-Udeid airbase in Qatar.Communication between the US and Russia ahead of the strikes took place via the so-called “deconfliction line”, which is controlled by the US military and operates out of the al-Udeid airbase in Qatar.
It is used typically to protect pilots from both countries as they fly sorties over Syria, Associated Press reports, to ensure they do not attack each other, and to avoid the possibility of midair collisions.It is used typically to protect pilots from both countries as they fly sorties over Syria, Associated Press reports, to ensure they do not attack each other, and to avoid the possibility of midair collisions.
Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the Russians were informed of the imminent strikes in “multiple conversations” through the deconfliction line on Thursday.Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the Russians were informed of the imminent strikes in “multiple conversations” through the deconfliction line on Thursday.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.03am BSTat 8.03am BST
7.53am BST7.53am BST
07:5307:53
As the missiles were launched from two US warships in the Mediterranean, Donald Trump was in Florida, where he has been hosting the Chinese president, Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago resort. As the missiles were launched from two US warships in the Mediterranean, Donald Trump was in Florida, where he has been hosting the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
After news broke of the strike, Trump broke off from the meeting (and a dinner of steak and carrots) to address reporters on the military action.After news broke of the strike, Trump broke off from the meeting (and a dinner of steak and carrots) to address reporters on the military action.
Initial plans for a live televised address to the nation reportedly had to be scrapped due to technical difficulties of broadcasting from the resort.Initial plans for a live televised address to the nation reportedly had to be scrapped due to technical difficulties of broadcasting from the resort.
Here are Trump’s remarks in full:Here are Trump’s remarks in full:
My fellow Americans,My fellow Americans,
On Tuesday, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad launched a horrible chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians using a deadly nerve agent.On Tuesday, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad launched a horrible chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians using a deadly nerve agent.
Assad choked out the lives of innocent men, women and children. It was a slow and brutal death for so many. Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack.Assad choked out the lives of innocent men, women and children. It was a slow and brutal death for so many. Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack.
No child of god should ever suffer such horror.No child of god should ever suffer such horror.
Tonight I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched.Tonight I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched.
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 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.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.
Years of previous attempts at changing Assad’s behaviour have all failed and failed very dramatically.Years of previous attempts at changing Assad’s behaviour have all failed and failed very dramatically.
As a result the refugee crisis continues to deepen and the region continues to destabilise, threatening the United States and its allies.As a result the refugee crisis continues to deepen and the region continues to destabilise, threatening the United States and its allies.
Tonight I call on all civilised nations to join us in seeking to end the slaughter and bloodshed in Syria, and also to end terrorism of all kinds and all types.Tonight I call on all civilised nations to join us in seeking to end the slaughter and bloodshed in Syria, and also to end terrorism of all kinds and all types.
We ask for god’s wisdom as we face the challenge of our very troubled world. We ask for God’s wisdom as we face the challenge of our very troubled world.
We pray for the lives of the wounded and for the souls of those who have passed.We pray for the lives of the wounded and for the souls of those who have passed.
And we hope that as long as America stands for justice that peace and harmony will in the end prevail.And we hope that as long as America stands for justice that peace and harmony will in the end prevail.
Goodnight and god bless America and the entire world. Thank you.Goodnight and god bless America and the entire world. Thank you.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.59am BST at 8.38am BST
7.41am BST7.41am BST
07:4107:41
While Moscow has labelled the strikes “an aggression” and warned that they were “a significant blow to Russian-American relations, which were already in a sorry state”, the US earlier caused confusion with conflicting messages over whether Russia had been informed in advance about the attack on the airbase.While Moscow has labelled the strikes “an aggression” and warned that they were “a significant blow to Russian-American relations, which were already in a sorry state”, the US earlier caused confusion with conflicting messages over whether Russia had been informed in advance about the attack on the airbase.
Secretary of state Rex Tillerson told reporters at Mar-a-Lago that it had not:Secretary of state Rex Tillerson told reporters at Mar-a-Lago that it had not:
There were no discussions or prior contacts, nor had there been any since the attack with Moscow.There were no discussions or prior contacts, nor had there been any since the attack with Moscow.
But the Pentagon said Russia had been alerted in advance, through military channels.But the Pentagon said Russia had been alerted in advance, through military channels.
Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the Russians were informed in “multiple conversations” on Thursday, through the “deconfliction channel” – a communications channel to the Russian base at Latakia used to avoid collisions or exchanges of fire between US and allied planes and Russian planes:Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the Russians were informed in “multiple conversations” on Thursday, through the “deconfliction channel” – a communications channel to the Russian base at Latakia used to avoid collisions or exchanges of fire between US and allied planes and Russian planes:
There are Russians at the base and we took extraordinary precautions to not target the area where the Russians are.There are Russians at the base and we took extraordinary precautions to not target the area where the Russians are.
This will raise many questions, says Guardian US national security editor Spencer Ackerman:This will raise many questions, says Guardian US national security editor Spencer Ackerman:
The Russians are sure to have routed that warning to Assad, raising immediate questions about what the strike will have accomplished.The Russians are sure to have routed that warning to Assad, raising immediate questions about what the strike will have accomplished.
7.29am BST7.29am BST
07:2907:29
Shaun WalkerShaun Walker
The Kremlin has made its first comment, with Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov making an angry statement. Peskov said Putin sees the strikes on Syria as “aggression against a sovereign state in violation of international law, and under a false pretext”.The Kremlin has made its first comment, with Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov making an angry statement. Peskov said Putin sees the strikes on Syria as “aggression against a sovereign state in violation of international law, and under a false pretext”.
Peskov claimed Syria has no chemical weapons, and that the destruction of them has been monitored by international observers. He said Trump’s move would have consequences for the relationship between the two countries.Peskov claimed Syria has no chemical weapons, and that the destruction of them has been monitored by international observers. He said Trump’s move would have consequences for the relationship between the two countries.
“With this step Washington has struck a significant blow to Russian-American relations, which were already in a sorry state,” said Peskov.“With this step Washington has struck a significant blow to Russian-American relations, which were already in a sorry state,” said Peskov.
No word yet on any concrete response, though.No word yet on any concrete response, though.
7.25am BST7.25am BST
07:2507:25
Catch up with our coverage of the US strikes against Syria here:Catch up with our coverage of the US strikes against Syria here:
US strikes Syrian airfield in first direct military action against AssadUS strikes Syrian airfield in first direct military action against Assad
A dinner of steak and carrots, then Trump’s cruise missiles struck SyriaA dinner of steak and carrots, then Trump’s cruise missiles struck Syria
Moustafa Bayoumi: Trump’s senseless Syria strikes accomplish nothingMoustafa Bayoumi: Trump’s senseless Syria strikes accomplish nothing
Tomahawk missile: weapon of deadly precision comes back to fore in SyriaTomahawk missile: weapon of deadly precision comes back to fore in Syria
7.13am BST7.13am BST
07:1307:13
What we know so farWhat we know so far
Claire PhippsClaire 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.
The Pentagon said 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched from warships USS Ross and Porter in the eastern Mediterranean in the early hours of Friday morning, Syria time.The Pentagon said 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched from warships USS Ross and Porter in the eastern Mediterranean in the early hours of Friday morning, Syria time.
Unconfirmed reports from Homs province said the airbase was destroyed, and some personnel killed. Some reports said senior officers had evacuated the base before the airstrikes happened.Unconfirmed reports from Homs province said the airbase was destroyed, and some personnel killed. Some reports said senior officers had evacuated the base before the airstrikes happened.
Donald Trump said the strike was a direct response to the chemical weapons attack that killed more than 70 people:Donald Trump said the strike was a direct response to the chemical weapons attack that killed more than 70 people:
Tonight I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched.Tonight I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched.
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 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.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.
Years of previous attempts at changing Assad’s behaviour have all failed and failed very dramatically.Years of previous attempts at changing Assad’s behaviour have all failed and failed very dramatically.
US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said the strike did not indicate a shift in US policy towards Syria, despite its significant shift from the previous stance taken by the Trump administration.US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said the strike did not indicate a shift in US policy towards Syria, despite its significant shift from the previous stance taken by the Trump administration.
There was an angry response in Russia, where the Kremlin warned that the strikes would cause “significant damage to US-Russia ties”.There was an angry response in Russia, where the Kremlin warned that the strikes would cause “significant damage to US-Russia ties”.
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:
They would act as the guarantor that these weapons would no longer be present in Syria. Clearly Russia has failed in its responsibility to deliver on that commitment from 2013.They would act as the guarantor that these weapons would no longer be present in Syria. Clearly Russia has failed in its responsibility to deliver on that commitment from 2013.
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 or since the strike.Tillerson said there had been “no discussions” with Moscow before or since the strike.
But the Pentagon confirmed that Russia – a key Assad ally – had been informed in advance of the strike through military channels: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.
The Pentagon also said it believes the strike has “severely damaged or destroyed Syrian aircraft and support infrastructure”.The Pentagon also said it believes the strike has “severely damaged or destroyed Syrian aircraft and support infrastructure”.
Support for the US action came from the UK, Australia, Israel, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, while Iran condemned the strikes.Support for the US action came from the UK, Australia, Israel, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, while Iran condemned the strikes.
Read our latest news story here:Read our latest news story here:
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.14am BSTat 7.14am BST
7.12am BST
07:12
The Turkish deputy prime minister, Numan Kurtulmuş, has backed the US strikes.
Speaking on Turkish Fox TV, Kurtulmuş said he hoped the operation would contribute to achieving peace in Syria, and said the international community needed to maintain pressure on Assad.
7.00am BST
07:00
Kremlin response: 'significant damage to US-Russia ties'
In its first public response to the airstrikes, the Kremlin has issued a strong statement condemning the US move as “aggression against a sovereign nation”.
Moscow said the strikes had been carried out on an “invented pretext” and claimed the Syrian army did not have chemical weapons.
The strikes, it said, would do “significant damage to US-Russia ties” and created a “serious obstacle” to creating an international coalition to defeat Isis.
Russian president Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said, views the strikes as an attempt to deflect world attention from civilian deaths in Iraq – where at least 150 people died in a series of coalition airstrikes in Mosul last month.
6.52am BST
06:52
Iran has condemned the US missile strike on Syria, Associated Press reports:
Foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said the “unilateral action is dangerous, destructive and violates the principles of international law”, in a report carried Friday by the semi-official ISNA news agency.
Iran is one of the biggest supporters of Assad and its hardline paramilitary Revolutionary Guard is deeply involved in the war.
Ghasemi described Iran as “the biggest victim of chemical weapons in recent history”, referencing Iraqi use of the weapons during its 1980s war. He said Iran condemned the missile launch “regardless of the perpetrators and the victims” of Tuesday’s chemical weapons attack in Syria.
He also warned it would “strengthen terrorists” and further add to “the complexity of the situation in Syria and the region”.
6.37am BST
06:37
In addition, Shaun Walker reports, there’s a big round of diplomacy ahead in Russia next week: US secretary of state Rex Tillerson is due in Moscow on Wednesday and is expected to meet with foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and president Vladimir Putin.
Boris Johnson is in Moscow on Monday and will meet Lavrov.
6.31am BST
06:31
Shaun Walker
The Guardian’s Moscow correspondent reports:
The Russian foreign ministry has said it will make a statement soon on the US action. There has been a lot of negative comment so far, comparing Trump’s move to previous US incursions in the Middle East, but little concrete information about the potential consequences, as people wait for a signal from the Kremlin on how Russia is going to play this.
The Pentagon has said there were “multiple conversations” with Russia before the strike, and that “extraordinary precautions” were taken not to target Russians at the base, but we are also yet to hear anything from either the Kremlin or military HQ on how these discussions looked from Moscow.
A report on the state news said the US had launched the attack after “baseless” claims that Assad had used chemical weapons. Senator Viktor Ozerov said Trump was “following in the footsteps of Bush Jr who looked for chemical weapons in Iraq, and we all know how that worked out”.
Alexei Pushkov, a Russian senator and former top foreign policy official, wrote on Twitter shortly before the US missiles were launched:
In the 21st century, every US president has had a war in the Middle East, if not two. If Trump goes into Syria, he’ll sit alongside Bush and Obama.
Vladimir Safronkov, Russia’s deputy UN ambassador, said:
The authors of these plans should stop and think what military operations in Iraq, Libya, and other countries led to. All the consequences will be on the conscience of those who came up with these plans.
6.23am BST
06:23
UK: strike was 'appropriate response'
Britain, too, has issued a show of support for the US action against Syria.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said:
The UK government fully supports the US action, which we believe was an appropriate response to the barbaric chemical weapons attack launched by the Syrian regime, and is intended to deter further attacks.
6.19am BST
06:19
Australia 'strongly supports' US strike
Gareth Hutchens
Australia’s prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has said he “strongly supports” the US military strike on Syria’s al-Shayrat airfield, calling it a calibrated, proportionate and targeted response to the Syrian regime’s “shocking war crime”.
He said Australia was in close discussions with its allies about the next steps, but said the airstrike had sent an important signal that the world would not tolerate the use of chemical weapons.
In a specially-convened press conference in Sydney on Friday, Turnbull said:
It sends a strong message to the Assad regime.
The retribution has been proportionate and it has been swift. We support the United States in that swift action.
Turnbull said it was important to note that the international community was not at war with the Assad regime, and the US had made it clear it was not seeking to overthrow Bashar al-Assad.
However, he said events of this week raised “very real questions” over whether Assad could remain as leader of Syria:
This chemical attack was a horrific crime, shocking, even in the context of that brutal war.
Turnbull said the US had not asked for more military support, but he left open the possibility of providing it in the future:
There is no question that this shocking conflict in Syria is crying out itself for a resolution and we certainly will continue to work with our allies and our partners to see a resolution to this shocking war.
6.13am BST
06:13
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an organisation that monitors the war, says al-Shayrat airbase has been almost completely destroyed.
There are reports that some troops have been killed, but this is as yet unconfirmed.
6.08am BST
06:08
Elle Hunt
A mainstay of US warfare for more than 20 years, the Tomahawk cruise missile had been considered the most likely weapon for any strike by the Trump administration against the Syrian military. And so it proved.
The US launched its surprise attack on an inland airbase near Homs early on Thursday morning, with 59 of the missiles deployed from two naval destroyers. USS Ross and USS Porter were in the eastern Mediterranean sea off Syria’s western coast.
More than 6.25m long (20ft) and weighing 1,590kg (3,500lb), the Tomahawk land-attack missile is billed by the US navy as “an all-weather, long range, subsonic cruise missile” able to be launched from either ships or submarines.
They commonly carry warheads of up to 454kg (1,000lb), and are designed to fly at low altitudes towards even heavily defended land targets with extreme accuracy.
Their chief advantage in warfare is that they are unmanned, guided by GPS to targets more than 1,600km (1,000 miles) away at high subsonic speeds of 885km/h (550mph).
5.56am BST
05:56
Russia is waking up to news of the strike – though we know military channels were used to alert Moscow before the missiles were launched – and reaction so far has been hostile.
State news agency RIA quoted Viktor Ozerov, head of the defence and security committee at the Russian upper house of parliament, saying the US strikes could undermine the fight against terrorism.
Ozerov said Russia would call for an urgent meeting of the UN security council:
This [the attack] could be viewed as an act of aggression of the US against a UN nation.