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UK government 'fully supports' US air strike in Syria UK government 'fully supports' US air strike in Syria
(35 minutes later)
The UK government says it "fully supports" the US missile strike against an air base in Syria over a suspected chemical weapons attack.The UK government says it "fully supports" the US missile strike against an air base in Syria over a suspected chemical weapons attack.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the UK had been in "close contact" with the US over the last few days and the PM had been "informed throughout". Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the PM had been "informed throughout" but the UK was not asked to take part.
He described the strike as "limited" and "wholly appropriate".
Fifty-nine Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from two US Navy ships in the Mediterranean. Six people were killed, the Syrian army said.
The attack comes days after dozens of civilians, including children, died in a suspected nerve gas attack.The attack comes days after dozens of civilians, including children, died in a suspected nerve gas attack.
Mr Fallon said the US action was to "deter" the Syrian regime. US launches missile strikes against Syria
He told BBC Breakfast: "We fully support this strike, we've been in close contact with the American government over the last couple of days in preparation for this. LIVE: Latest updates and global reaction to Trump strike
"The Americans believe they've exhausted all possible diplomatic and peaceful ways of dealing with the use by the regime of chemical weapons and they have been determined to try to prevent future attacks like this so they've taken this action today." Sir Michael told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the UK government had had close discussions with the US over the past few days "at all levels" since the gas attack and had "reviewed the various options they were considering".
He added that the move was "very limited and appropriate action to deter the regime" in Syria from using gas in an "appalling way". US Defence Secretary General James Mattis contacted the UK to give "advance notice of the President's final decision".
Mr Fallon said the UK government had not been asked to take part in the strike. Sir Michael said the US strike had "targeted the airfield, the aircraft the support equipment that were involved, the Americans believe, in this gas attack and is designed to deter the regime from planning similar gas attacks".
"It's not part of the coalition...but the US have made this clear that this was a US operation, but I should emphasise we fully support it." He said the US "hasn't declared war" on Syria and the UK had not been asked to get involved: "The Americans have made it very clear the attack last night was limited, was narrowly focused, they did everything possible to minimise Syrian casualties, indeed to involve Russian personnel on that particular airfield."
Sir Michael said there would have to be a vote in Parliament before the UK got involved in any military action.
MPs rejected strikes against Syrian government forces in a 2013 vote, but Sir Michael stressed that the UK had not been asked to join the US action.
"We are not committed to military action in 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."
The US strikes did not have a UN resolution: "The Americans tried very hard to get United Nations support but it became very clear that these resolutions would simply be vetoed and in any case the Syrian regime has ignored United Nations resolutions."
He added that Russia could stop the regime and "use its influence against Assad to bring this slaughter to a stop".
US President Donald Trump explained in a televised address that the base had been the launch point for the chemical attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province.US President Donald Trump explained in a televised address that the base had been the launch point for the chemical attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province.
He called on "all civilised nations" to help end the conflict in Syria.He called on "all civilised nations" to help end the conflict in Syria.
Mr Trump branded President Assad a "dictator" who had "launched a horrible chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians".Mr Trump branded President Assad a "dictator" who had "launched a horrible chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians".
Mr Fallon said that based on UK intelligence assessments it was "highly likely" that Assad's regime was responsible for the attack.Mr Fallon said that based on UK intelligence assessments it was "highly likely" that Assad's regime was responsible for the attack.
The UK government has made renewed calls this week for diplomatic action in response to the chemical attack.The UK government has made renewed calls this week for diplomatic action in response to the chemical attack.
The US, UK and France had brought a resolution before the United Nations Security Council, demanding an investigation.The US, UK and France had brought a resolution before the United Nations Security Council, demanding an investigation.
But on Wednesday, Downing Street had played down the prospect of military action, insisting "nobody is talking" about an armed response to the atrocity.But on Wednesday, Downing Street had played down the prospect of military action, insisting "nobody is talking" about an armed response to the atrocity.