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Syria latest: British defence secretary says attack 'highly successful' Syria latest: British defence secretary says attack 'highly successful' – live updates
(35 minutes later)
May says the UK Government has attempted to approach Syria through diplomatic channels but to no avail.
“The UK Government has been working intensively with international partners to build evidence picture”, she says.
May says the fact of the chemical weapon attack in Douma “should surprise no one”.
We know the Syrian regime has an abhorrent record of using chemical weapons against its own people.
No other group could have carried out this attack. Daesh does not have a presence in Douma.
Theresa May is making a statement at Downing Street on the US-led airstrikes in Syria.
She said full assessments of the UK airstrike are taking place but Government is “confident of its success”.
Here’s more from our Moscow correspondent, Andrew Roth, on Putin’s statement.
Vladimir Putin said that the US-led strike would “worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria”.
The attack would “bring suffering to the peaceful population, in effect pander to the terrorists who have tormented the Syrian people for seven years, and provoke a new wave of refugees” from the country, the Russian president said.
The attack would “have a destructive effect on the entire system of international relations”, he added.
Putin also repeated Russian insistences that the country had found no evidence of the chemical weapons attack in the Damascus suburb of Douma that led to Saturday morning’s airstrikes.
“Russian military experts at the place of the alleged incident did not find any signs of the use of chlorine or other poisonous substances. Not one local resident confirmed the fact of a chemical attack,” Putin said in the statement released by the Kremlin.
Putin also attack the US-led coalition for carrying out the strike “without waiting for the results of the investigation”, referring to a fact finding mission of experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons bound for Douma.
The Candian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, has offered his support to the actions taken by US, UK and France. In a statement he said:
Canada condemns in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons in last week’s attack in eastern Ghouta, Syria.
Canada supports the decision by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France to take action to degrade the Assad regime’s ability to launch chemical weapons attacks against its own people.
We will continue to work with our international partners to further investigate the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Those responsible must be brought to justice.
At the Elysée palace, where diplomatic and military staff had been awake all night, the focus was on stressing that French president Emmanuel Macron’s clearly stated “red-line” on chemical weapons use in Syria had been overstepped, as well as international treaties on chemical weapons, and that the French action was legal, “proportional and targeted”.
Sources at the Elysée emphasised Macron’s diplomatic efforts yesterday — describing his phone conversation with the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, as key.
Macron was the only leader of the US, UK, French coalition to speak directly to Putin on Friday as airstrikes were being prepared.
The Elysée said the conversation was aimed at looking beyond military action and pushing for more joint work towards a political solution in Syria, stressing that Paris, in targeting strikes specifically at the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons development and production, had sought to avoid any form of escalation with allies.
One Elysée source said of Macron and Putin’s conversation: “The tone was direct as it often is, but it was already constructive.” Paris is seeking to very quickly try to capitalise on the momentum of the weekend’s strikes to push for humanitarian corridors and to push for a “political process” for Syria, to see if Russia will come to the table on political transition, sources said.
Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party, has responding to the Syria airstrikes, calling them “legally questionable”:
Bombs won’t save lives or bring about peace. This legally questionable action risks escalating further, as US defence secretary James Mattis has admitted, an already devastating conflict and therefore makes real accountability for war crimes and use of chemical weapons less, not more likely.
Britain should be playing a leadership role to bring about a ceasefire in the conflict, not taking instructions from Washington and putting British military personnel in harm’s way.
Theresa May should have sought parliamentary approval, not trailed after Donald Trump. The Government should do whatever possible to push Russia and the United States to agree to an independent UN-led investigation of last weekend’s horrific chemical weapons attack so that those responsible can be held to account.
Russian President Vladimir Putin in a statement called the US-led airstrikes against Syria an “act of aggression.”
Putin said that Russia would convene an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the “aggressive actions of the United States and its allies.”Russia in “the most serious way condemns the attack on Syria, where Russian servicemen are helping the legitimate government in its fight with terrorism”, the statement said, according to reports from Russian news agencies.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a staunch ally of Bashar al-Assad, condemned Saturday’s US-led airstrikes on Syria, describing the leaders of the three countries involved in the attack as criminals.Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a staunch ally of Bashar al-Assad, condemned Saturday’s US-led airstrikes on Syria, describing the leaders of the three countries involved in the attack as criminals.
“I clearly declare that the US president, the French president and the UK prime minister are criminals and have committed a crime,” he said on Saturday, state agencies reported.“I clearly declare that the US president, the French president and the UK prime minister are criminals and have committed a crime,” he said on Saturday, state agencies reported.
Tehran’s foreign ministry also said in a statement that “the aggression is a flagrant violation of international law and a disregard of Syria’s right to national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Iranian media reported.Tehran’s foreign ministry also said in a statement that “the aggression is a flagrant violation of international law and a disregard of Syria’s right to national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Iranian media reported.
“Based on religious, legal and ethical regulations, Iran opposes any use of chemical weapons, but at the same time, strongly rejects and condemns the fabrication of excuses to invade an independent country,” the foreign ministry’s statement said.“Based on religious, legal and ethical regulations, Iran opposes any use of chemical weapons, but at the same time, strongly rejects and condemns the fabrication of excuses to invade an independent country,” the foreign ministry’s statement said.
“There is no doubt that the US and its allies that are engaged a military intervention in Syria without any substantiated document and before any final report of the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and have supposed themselves as the world police and judge, are responsible for regional and international repercussions of the adventure, and should be held accountable,” he said.“There is no doubt that the US and its allies that are engaged a military intervention in Syria without any substantiated document and before any final report of the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and have supposed themselves as the world police and judge, are responsible for regional and international repercussions of the adventure, and should be held accountable,” he said.
Iran, which has been propping up Assad since the conflict began, has provided the Syrian government with crucial ground support, thanks to a combination of Hezbollah fighters, Shia volunteers from across the Middle East and its own Revolutionary Guards.Iran, which has been propping up Assad since the conflict began, has provided the Syrian government with crucial ground support, thanks to a combination of Hezbollah fighters, Shia volunteers from across the Middle East and its own Revolutionary Guards.
Russian and Iranian backing has swung the conflict in Assad’s favour, at the same time as the so-called caliphate of the Islamic State (Isis) has crumbled. Its remaining fighters have been pushed back to a modest piece of land along the Euphrates valley near the Iraqi border.Russian and Iranian backing has swung the conflict in Assad’s favour, at the same time as the so-called caliphate of the Islamic State (Isis) has crumbled. Its remaining fighters have been pushed back to a modest piece of land along the Euphrates valley near the Iraqi border.
The post-Isis era has also changed the dynamic of the war, however, and Israel, which is concerned about Iran’s growing influence on its doorstep, has become more involved militarily. An Israeli airstrike on a Syrian airbase near Homs on Sunday killed at least seven Iranian military personnel in an incident that Tehran vowed would not be left unanswered.The post-Isis era has also changed the dynamic of the war, however, and Israel, which is concerned about Iran’s growing influence on its doorstep, has become more involved militarily. An Israeli airstrike on a Syrian airbase near Homs on Sunday killed at least seven Iranian military personnel in an incident that Tehran vowed would not be left unanswered.
Khamenei’s top adviser on foreign policy, Ali Akbar Velayati, met with Assad in Damascus ahead of the airstrikes, reiterating Tehran’s support, saying that Iran will stand by the Syrian government under any circumstances in defiance of western retaliation.Khamenei’s top adviser on foreign policy, Ali Akbar Velayati, met with Assad in Damascus ahead of the airstrikes, reiterating Tehran’s support, saying that Iran will stand by the Syrian government under any circumstances in defiance of western retaliation.
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon says UK foreign policy should be set by parliament and not Donald Trump following the missile strikes launched by the US, UK and France against Syria.Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon says UK foreign policy should be set by parliament and not Donald Trump following the missile strikes launched by the US, UK and France against Syria.
She said the suspected use of chemical weapons in Douma last week was “sickening” but warned that the latest action risked “dangerous escalation”.She said the suspected use of chemical weapons in Douma last week was “sickening” but warned that the latest action risked “dangerous escalation”.
Air strikes have not resolved situation in Syria so far - nothing I’ve heard persuades me they will do so now. An international strategy for peace must be pursued - not a course that risks dangerous escalation. UK foreign policy should be set by Parliament, not US President.Air strikes have not resolved situation in Syria so far - nothing I’ve heard persuades me they will do so now. An international strategy for peace must be pursued - not a course that risks dangerous escalation. UK foreign policy should be set by Parliament, not US President.
Asked how the prime minister would address MPs’ concerns when she returns to Parliament on Monday, Williamson said:Asked how the prime minister would address MPs’ concerns when she returns to Parliament on Monday, Williamson said:
He said: “The speed in which we’re acting is essential. We’ve been co-operating with our partners to alleviate further humanitarian suffering and to maintain the vital security of our operations.”He said: “The speed in which we’re acting is essential. We’ve been co-operating with our partners to alleviate further humanitarian suffering and to maintain the vital security of our operations.”
He went on: “As you’ve touched upon the prime minister will be going to Parliament on Monday. She quite rightly has been taking a leadership role. She said the use of chemical weapons is completely wrong. We’ve had to take action in order to stop this and reduce the Syrian government’s ability to take further action.”He went on: “As you’ve touched upon the prime minister will be going to Parliament on Monday. She quite rightly has been taking a leadership role. She said the use of chemical weapons is completely wrong. We’ve had to take action in order to stop this and reduce the Syrian government’s ability to take further action.”
He said: “The prime minister and government have to make decisions not only to do what is right in terms or protecting innocent people but also protecting our national security. We have to make those decisions, and quite understandably, Parliament holds government to account for decisions its makes.He said: “The prime minister and government have to make decisions not only to do what is right in terms or protecting innocent people but also protecting our national security. We have to make those decisions, and quite understandably, Parliament holds government to account for decisions its makes.
“But it is about doing the right thing, it is about actually protecting those innocent people that the Assad regime have so little care for and are quite comfortable in terms of using chemical weapons against them.“But it is about doing the right thing, it is about actually protecting those innocent people that the Assad regime have so little care for and are quite comfortable in terms of using chemical weapons against them.
“It’s just frankly not right and we have to take action to stop that happening in the future and that’s what we did last night.”“It’s just frankly not right and we have to take action to stop that happening in the future and that’s what we did last night.”
Asked if this was a “one-time shot”, as US defence secretary, James Mattis, has said, Williamson replied:Asked if this was a “one-time shot”, as US defence secretary, James Mattis, has said, Williamson replied:
“We’ve been working to make sure the targeting and the strikes have an enormous effect. It’s our belief the action we’ve taken has degraded their ability to act in the future.”“We’ve been working to make sure the targeting and the strikes have an enormous effect. It’s our belief the action we’ve taken has degraded their ability to act in the future.”
Pressed on the issue, Williamson said a clear message had been sent to the Syrian regime and it was now “in their hands”.Pressed on the issue, Williamson said a clear message had been sent to the Syrian regime and it was now “in their hands”.
“It’s the Syrian regime choice - do they think it’s acceptable to use chemical weapons? There is a consequence.”“It’s the Syrian regime choice - do they think it’s acceptable to use chemical weapons? There is a consequence.”
Williamson said the action taken by UK, US and France “significantly reduced” the likelihood of the regime using them again.Williamson said the action taken by UK, US and France “significantly reduced” the likelihood of the regime using them again.
Williamson said the decision to launch airstrikes was discussed at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday.Williamson said the decision to launch airstrikes was discussed at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday.
“We all saw the images of the suffering inflicted on innocent men women and children,” he said.“We all saw the images of the suffering inflicted on innocent men women and children,” he said.
Asked if the intervention could bring about change in the direction of the Syrian civil war, he said: “We expect it to have a significant effect to stop the Syrian regime using chemical weapons in the future.”Asked if the intervention could bring about change in the direction of the Syrian civil war, he said: “We expect it to have a significant effect to stop the Syrian regime using chemical weapons in the future.”
Defence secretary Gavin Williamson is speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.Defence secretary Gavin Williamson is speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
He says four RAF tornados took part in strikes on targets in Syria and initial assessments suggest it was a “highly successful mission”.He says four RAF tornados took part in strikes on targets in Syria and initial assessments suggest it was a “highly successful mission”.
Over in Cyprus, British base officials are saying they will not be commenting on the overnight strikes in which four Royal Air Force Tornados GR4s were involved.Over in Cyprus, British base officials are saying they will not be commenting on the overnight strikes in which four Royal Air Force Tornados GR4s were involved.
Speaking shortly after four RAF tornados launched Storm Shadow missiles at a Syrian chemical weapons base 15 miles west of Homs, a British base spokesman in Cyprus said there would be no further information on the attack from officials on the island.Speaking shortly after four RAF tornados launched Storm Shadow missiles at a Syrian chemical weapons base 15 miles west of Homs, a British base spokesman in Cyprus said there would be no further information on the attack from officials on the island.
“I am sorry to disappoint but there will be no facilities here on Cyprus,” Sean Tully, spokesman for the sovereign base area, told the Guardian. “We will not be holding press conferences and journalists will not be allowed onto the [military] base.”“I am sorry to disappoint but there will be no facilities here on Cyprus,” Sean Tully, spokesman for the sovereign base area, told the Guardian. “We will not be holding press conferences and journalists will not be allowed onto the [military] base.”
Any information regarding the strike - and possible Russian retaliation – will be divulged from London. “The ministry of defence will be coordinating. All enquiries must be directed to them.”Any information regarding the strike - and possible Russian retaliation – will be divulged from London. “The ministry of defence will be coordinating. All enquiries must be directed to them.”
RAF Akrotiri, the nearest airbase to Syria, is Britain’s main forward mounting base for overseas operations in the Middle East and has long been used to carry out precision air strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq.RAF Akrotiri, the nearest airbase to Syria, is Britain’s main forward mounting base for overseas operations in the Middle East and has long been used to carry out precision air strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq.
A former colony Cyprus is host to two British sovereign bases. Eight typhoon and six tornado fighter bombers are stationed at RAF Akrotiri.A former colony Cyprus is host to two British sovereign bases. Eight typhoon and six tornado fighter bombers are stationed at RAF Akrotiri.
Prior to the overnight strikes, speculation was rife that the airbase’s frontline role as a launch pad would make it a prime candidate for counter attack if Moscow followed through on its pledge to retaliate against any armed action in Syria.Prior to the overnight strikes, speculation was rife that the airbase’s frontline role as a launch pad would make it a prime candidate for counter attack if Moscow followed through on its pledge to retaliate against any armed action in Syria.
Ahead of the strikes defensive measures were believed to have been taken at the airbase.Ahead of the strikes defensive measures were believed to have been taken at the airbase.
I’m handing over now to my colleague Jamie Grierson in London.
The Guardian’s Middle East reporter Kareem Shaheen is reporting on regional reaction to the air strikes.
More international reaction coming in, with Turkey saying it welcomed the attacks this morning as an appropriate measure for the use of chemical weapons.
“We welcome this operation which has eased humanity’s conscience in the face of the attack in Douma, largely suspected to have been carried out by the regime,” the foreign ministry said in a statement on the state-run Anadolu Agency.
“Attacks with weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons, that indiscriminately target civilians constitute crimes against humanity.
“The Syrian regime, which has been tyrannising its own people for more than seven years, be it with conventional or chemical weapons, has a proven track record of crimes against humanity and war crimes. The conscience of the international community carries no doubt to that effect.”
Bashar al-Assad arrives at work on a morning of steadfastness.
صباح الصمود..رئاسة الجمهورية العربية السورية pic.twitter.com/hhIZT6cOTe
The Guardian’s Middle East reporter Kareem Shaheen on a statement issued by the Syrian military command:
The statement published by the Syrian state news agency says the “tripartite aggression” began at 3:55am Damascus time and included approximately 110 missiles fired at targets inside Syria.
It said that Syrian air defence responded and brought down the majority of the missiles, but some hit a research facility in Barzeh, which it said contained scientific labs and an educational centre, but that the US claims was a chemical weapons research facility.
The statement also said that other missiles targeting a military installation near Homs were disrupted and exploded, injuring three civilians, the first allegation of civilian casualties from the strike.
The statement says the Syrian military will continue to fight against “terrorism”.
The Associated Press is reporting protests on the streets of Damascus this morning in a show of defiance against the US:
Hundreds of Syrians gathered at landmark squares in the Syrian capital Saturday, honking their car horns, flashing victory signs and waving Syrian flags in scenes of defiance that followed unprecedented joint airstrikes by the United States, France and Britain.
“Good souls will not be humiliated,” Syria’s presidency tweeted after the airstrikes began.
Soon after the one-hour attack ended, vehicles with loudspeakers roamed the streets of Damascus blaring nationalist songs.
Hundreds of residents began gathering in the landmark Omayyad square of the Syrian capital. Many waved Syrian, Russian and Iranian flags. Some clapped their hands and danced, other drove in convoys, honking their horns in defiance.
“We are your men, Bashar,” they shouted.
Syrian state TV broadcast live from the square where a large crowd of civilians mixed with men in uniforms, including an actor, lawmakers and other figures.
“Good morning steadfastness,” one broadcaster said.
Syrian TV called the attacks a “blatant violation of international law and shows contempt for international legitimacy.”
Russia’s defence ministry has issued a statement saying “more than 100 cruise missiles and air-to-land missiles were fired by the US, Britain, and France from the sea and air at Syrian military and civilian targets”.
The statement said “a significant number” of missiles were shot down by Syrian air defences, built by the Soviet Union more than 30 years ago. No Russian air defences based in Syria were hit in the strikes, the ministry said.
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has said his government (another Five Eyes member) supports the attacks on Syrian military targets.
Canada supports the decision by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France to take action to degrade the Assad regime’s ability to launch chemical weapons attacks against its own people.
We will continue to work with our international partners to further investigate the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Those responsible must be brought to justice.‎
Welcome the news of UK military strikes against major chemical weapons facilities in Syria alongside our US and French allies. The world is united in its disgust for any use of chemical weapons, but especially against civilians
Donald Trump has launched air strikes alongside UK and French forces aimed at reducing Syrian regime’s chemical weapons facilities in the wake of last weekend’s gas attack on the Damascus suburb of Douma.
Moments after the president’s address finished, reports emerged of explosions in Damascus. A Pentagon briefing later confirmed three sites were hit: two in Damascus and one in Homs. The sites were all regarded as linked to the storage, or testing, of chemical weapons. Syrian air defences responded to the strikes but the US said it had suffered no losses in the initial air strikes.
Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the US, said “such actions will not be left without consequences” and said Moscow was being threatened. “Insulting the president of Russia is unacceptable and inadmissible,” he added.
The US president said the attack in Douma a week ago represented “a significant escalation in a pattern of chemical weapons use” by the Assad regime. He said: “We are prepared to sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents.”
The British prime minister, Theresa May, said she authorised targeted strikes to “degrade the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons capability and deter their use”. Taking a swipe at Russia, she said: “We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalised – within Syria, on the streets of the UK, or anywhere else in our world. We would have preferred an alternative path. But on this occasion there is none.”
The UK’s Ministry of Defence said four Tornado jets flew from Cyprus as part of the strikes on Homs.
US defence secretary, James Mattis, said the US, UK and France had taken “decisive action” against Syria’s chemical weapon infrastructure and did not rule out further strikes. “Clearly the Assad regime did not get the message” last time, he said, referring to the response to the Ghouta chemical attack in 2017. He said the allies had “gone to great length to avoid civil and foreign casualties”.
French president Emmanuel Macron said the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime posed an “immediate danger for the Syrian people and our collective security.”