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Syria latest: Trump orders air strikes against Assad regime – live updates Syria latest: Trump orders air strikes against Assad regime – live updates
(35 minutes later)
Amnesty International US has urged the American military and its allies to minimise civilian casualties in all of its strikes against Syria.
“The people of Syria have already endured six years of devastating attacks, including chemical attacks, many of which amount to war crimes,” Raed Jarrar, advocacy director for Middle East-North Africa said.
“All precautions must be taken to minimise harm to civilians in any military action. People already living in fear of losing their lives in unlawful attacks must not be further punished for the alleged violations of the Syrian government.”
Jarrar said the US must also consider the broader repercussions of continued conflict in Syria, with millions having already fled violence and persecution in the country.
“The Trump administration must not turn its back on the suffering of men, women, and children by continuing to ban refugees from entering the United States. It is time for the US to reopen our doors to people trying to escape from the violence in Syria.”
Amnesty International is one of 45 NGOs that have signed a joint statement urging UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to launch an independent UN investigation to identify those responsible for chemical attacks in Syria.
I will now hand you over to my colleague Ben Doherty for continued coverage of events in Syria.
Donald Trump has launched air strikes alongside UK and French forces aimed at the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons facilities.
Moments after the president’s address finished, reports emerged of explosions in Damascus. A Pentagon briefing later confirmed three sites were hit in Damascus and Homs. Syrian air defences responded but the US said it has 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 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.”
The French presidential palace has released footage of its military jets setting off.The French presidential palace has released footage of its military jets setting off.
Décollage, cette nuit, des forces armées françaises qui interviennent contre l’arsenal chimique clandestin du régime syrien. Déclaration du Président de la République @EmmanuelMacron : https://t.co/HNSK0FmZIO pic.twitter.com/DEAW7R50aCDécollage, cette nuit, des forces armées françaises qui interviennent contre l’arsenal chimique clandestin du régime syrien. Déclaration du Président de la République @EmmanuelMacron : https://t.co/HNSK0FmZIO pic.twitter.com/DEAW7R50aC
John McCain, a Trump foe and chairman of the Senate armed services committee, has applauded the president for taking military action “and for signalling his resolve to do so again if these heinous attacks continue”.John McCain, a Trump foe and chairman of the Senate armed services committee, has applauded the president for taking military action “and for signalling his resolve to do so again if these heinous attacks continue”.
He says: “The message to Assad must be that the cost of using chemical weapons is worse than any perceived benefit, that the United States and our allies have the will and capability to continue imposing those costs, and that Iran and Russia will ultimately be unsuccessful in protecting Assad from our punitive response.”He says: “The message to Assad must be that the cost of using chemical weapons is worse than any perceived benefit, that the United States and our allies have the will and capability to continue imposing those costs, and that Iran and Russia will ultimately be unsuccessful in protecting Assad from our punitive response.”
However, he urges famously impulsive Trump to put together a comprehensive strategy for the region in order to succeed in the long run. He says air strikes alone will not achieve US objectives in the Middle East.However, he urges famously impulsive Trump to put together a comprehensive strategy for the region in order to succeed in the long run. He says air strikes alone will not achieve US objectives in the Middle East.
A rebel official in the Qalamoun mountains, an area in the province of Damascus, said their fighters reported attacks near the town of al-Ruhaybah, as well as the Dumayr air base. Rebels in the area reported hearing and seeing the explosions there. Dumayr air base is believed to be the installation from which the helicopters that carried out the Douma chemical attack took off.A rebel official in the Qalamoun mountains, an area in the province of Damascus, said their fighters reported attacks near the town of al-Ruhaybah, as well as the Dumayr air base. Rebels in the area reported hearing and seeing the explosions there. Dumayr air base is believed to be the installation from which the helicopters that carried out the Douma chemical attack took off.
It is believed to be a storage facility for ballistic missile fuel, and might have been used for storing chemicals, the official said.It is believed to be a storage facility for ballistic missile fuel, and might have been used for storing chemicals, the official said.
Rebels reported that the Syrian government launched missiles from its air defence system but apparently to no effect.Rebels reported that the Syrian government launched missiles from its air defence system but apparently to no effect.
Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the US, has responded to the air strikes in Damascus and Homs. He says Moscows warnings have been left unheard and that Russia is being threatened. “We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences,” he says.Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the US, has responded to the air strikes in Damascus and Homs. He says Moscows warnings have been left unheard and that Russia is being threatened. “We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences,” he says.
He says “insulting the president of Russia is unacceptable and inadmissible” and that the US, as a holder of chemical weapons, has no moral right to blame other countries.He says “insulting the president of Russia is unacceptable and inadmissible” and that the US, as a holder of chemical weapons, has no moral right to blame other countries.
Statement by the Ambassador Antonov on the strikes on #Syria:A pre-designed scenario is being implemented. Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences.All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris. pic.twitter.com/QEmWEffUzxStatement by the Ambassador Antonov on the strikes on #Syria:A pre-designed scenario is being implemented. Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences.All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris. pic.twitter.com/QEmWEffUzx
This from Associated Press Middle East correspondent Bassem Mroue.This from Associated Press Middle East correspondent Bassem Mroue.
#Damascus during the attack about an hour ago #Syria pic.twitter.com/GDUBcznjMV#Damascus during the attack about an hour ago #Syria pic.twitter.com/GDUBcznjMV
Australia, a staunch ally of the US and a member of the Five Eyes security alliance, was not a part of the air strikes on Syria, but has issued a statement supporting the coalition’s actions. The Guardian understands the Australian government was briefed by the US on the strikes shortly before they began.Australia, a staunch ally of the US and a member of the Five Eyes security alliance, was not a part of the air strikes on Syria, but has issued a statement supporting the coalition’s actions. The Guardian understands the Australian government was briefed by the US on the strikes shortly before they began.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, along with the foreign and defence ministers, issued a statement:Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, along with the foreign and defence ministers, issued a statement:
Australia supports these strikes, which demonstrate a calibrated, proportionate and targeted response. They send an unequivocal message to the Assad regime and its backers, Russia and Iran, that the use of chemical weapons will not be tolerated.Australia supports these strikes, which demonstrate a calibrated, proportionate and targeted response. They send an unequivocal message to the Assad regime and its backers, Russia and Iran, that the use of chemical weapons will not be tolerated.
The use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere, under any circumstances is illegal and utterly reprehensible. The Assad regime must not be allowed to commit such crimes with impunity.The use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere, under any circumstances is illegal and utterly reprehensible. The Assad regime must not be allowed to commit such crimes with impunity.
Australia also said Syria’s allies, Russia and Iran, must pressure the Assad regime to abandon its practice of using chemical weapons.Australia also said Syria’s allies, Russia and Iran, must pressure the Assad regime to abandon its practice of using chemical weapons.
Syrian media has reported that Syrian defences hit 13 rockets south of Damascus. It said vehicles with loudspeakers later emerged on the streets of Damascus blaring nationalist songs.Syrian media has reported that Syrian defences hit 13 rockets south of Damascus. It said vehicles with loudspeakers later emerged on the streets of Damascus blaring nationalist songs.
Some more detail on the recent Pentagon briefing conducted by US defence secretary James Mattis. He said there were no reports yet of any US losses during the initial airstrikes.Some more detail on the recent Pentagon briefing conducted by US defence secretary James Mattis. He said there were no reports yet of any US losses during the initial airstrikes.
He said “right now this is a one-time shot” but did not rule out further attacks. Donald Trump said earlier that the campaign against Bashar al-Assad could be “sustained”.He said “right now this is a one-time shot” but did not rule out further attacks. Donald Trump said earlier that the campaign against Bashar al-Assad could be “sustained”.
France’s president Emannuel Macron said he acted because “a red line has been crossed”.France’s president Emannuel Macron said he acted because “a red line has been crossed”.
Le samedi 7 avril 2018, à Douma, des dizaines d’hommes, de femmes et d’enfants ont été massacrés à l’arme chimique. La ligne rouge a été franchie. J’ai donc ordonné aux forces armées françaises d’intervenir. https://t.co/Vt9LcFcFzH pic.twitter.com/Dc726PHfARLe samedi 7 avril 2018, à Douma, des dizaines d’hommes, de femmes et d’enfants ont été massacrés à l’arme chimique. La ligne rouge a été franchie. J’ai donc ordonné aux forces armées françaises d’intervenir. https://t.co/Vt9LcFcFzH pic.twitter.com/Dc726PHfAR
The Pentagon briefing has now wrapped up and I will get you more detailed information on that shortly.The Pentagon briefing has now wrapped up and I will get you more detailed information on that shortly.
Circling back to the UK’s involvement, Gavin Williamson, the UK defence secretary, said: “The reprehensible use of chemical weapons in Douma is further evidence of the Syrian regime’s appalling cruelty against its own people. We will not stand by whilst innocent civilians, including women and children, are killed and made to suffer.Circling back to the UK’s involvement, Gavin Williamson, the UK defence secretary, said: “The reprehensible use of chemical weapons in Douma is further evidence of the Syrian regime’s appalling cruelty against its own people. We will not stand by whilst innocent civilians, including women and children, are killed and made to suffer.
“The international community has responded decisively with legal and proportionate military force. Let these united actions send a clear message to the regime – the use of chemical weapons is categorically unacceptable and you will be held to account.”“The international community has responded decisively with legal and proportionate military force. Let these united actions send a clear message to the regime – the use of chemical weapons is categorically unacceptable and you will be held to account.”
Here is the full text of Donald Trump’s earlier announcement of strikes against the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons capability.Here is the full text of Donald Trump’s earlier announcement of strikes against the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons capability.
In it, he says the attack a week ago on Douma “was a significant escalation in a pattern of chemical weapons use by that very terrible regime”.In it, he says the attack a week ago on Douma “was a significant escalation in a pattern of chemical weapons use by that very terrible regime”.
He adds: “The purpose of our actions tonight is to establish a strong deterrent against the production, spread, and use of chemical weapons.”He adds: “The purpose of our actions tonight is to establish a strong deterrent against the production, spread, and use of chemical weapons.”
“I also have a message tonight for the two governments most responsible for supporting, equipping, and financing the criminal Assad regime.“I also have a message tonight for the two governments most responsible for supporting, equipping, and financing the criminal Assad regime.
“To Iran, and to Russia, I ask: What kind of a nation wants to be associated with the mass murder of innocent men, women, and children?”“To Iran, and to Russia, I ask: What kind of a nation wants to be associated with the mass murder of innocent men, women, and children?”