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Syria latest: Russia warns of 'consequences' after Trump launches air strikes – live updates Syria latest: Russia warns of 'consequences' after Trump launches air strikes – live updates
(35 minutes later)
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.”
Julian Borger is reporting from Washington that the US relied on a “large body” of evidence pointing towards the Assad regime’s responsibility for the chemical weapons attack on Douma.
The evidence includes eyewitness accounts of helicopters dropping barrel bombs on the city, and “reliable intelligence’ that the attacks were co-ordinated by Syrian military officials.
Jenny Jones, Greens peer
This comment by PM is nonsense. She cannot possible be confident that tensions won't escalate! Region is complex, many players, with shifting alliances. All happening over the bodies of innocent Syrians. https://t.co/Cj9bJd7vbC
Iran has warned of “regional consequences” following air strikes in Syria by a coalition of the United States, Britain, and France.
“The United States and its allies have no proof and, without even waiting for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to take a position, have carried out this military attack,” Iran’s foreign ministry in a statement.
The coalition will be “responsible for the regional consequences of this adventurist action”.
Iran is a key backer - alongside Russia - of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, providing military advisors and “volunteer” ground forces.
Tehran officials have said the Western powers were using last week’s alleged chemical attack on the rebel-held stronghold of Douma as an excuse to undermine the Syrian regime’s recent advances in the long-running civil war.
Seven Iranians were killed in an air strike on a Syrian military base on Monday, which Iran claims was carried out by Israel.
The Guardian’s Paris correspondent Angelique Chrisafis:The Guardian’s Paris correspondent Angelique Chrisafis:
French foreign minister Le Drian says just now: The red line set out by Macron last year was crossed. Syrian regime's use of chemical weapons was "not acceptable"French foreign minister Le Drian says just now: The red line set out by Macron last year was crossed. Syrian regime's use of chemical weapons was "not acceptable"
#Syria French foreign minister Le Drian says the military response was "legitimate", that it targeted Syrian regime's chemical capabilities, was "proportional and targeted" to prevent "further carnage"#Syria French foreign minister Le Drian says the military response was "legitimate", that it targeted Syrian regime's chemical capabilities, was "proportional and targeted" to prevent "further carnage"
#Syria French defence minister Parly says French naval and air power was used, beginning at 3am French time. Cruise missiles from naval frigate in the Mediterranean as well as French fighter jets that left several French airbases#Syria French defence minister Parly says French naval and air power was used, beginning at 3am French time. Cruise missiles from naval frigate in the Mediterranean as well as French fighter jets that left several French airbases
Protestors on the streets of Damascus wave Russian and Syrian flags, the morning after US-led airstrikes on the capital.Protestors on the streets of Damascus wave Russian and Syrian flags, the morning after US-led airstrikes on the capital.
Russia’s foreign ministry Maria Zakharova has condemned the US over its strikes on Syria. She said the attacks hit a long-troubled country “that for many years has been trying to survive terrorist aggression”.Russia’s foreign ministry Maria Zakharova has condemned the US over its strikes on Syria. She said the attacks hit a long-troubled country “that for many years has been trying to survive terrorist aggression”.
In a statement posted to Facebook on Saturday, Zakharova also criticised the Western media for its coverage, which it says informed the White House for its attacks.In a statement posted to Facebook on Saturday, Zakharova also criticised the Western media for its coverage, which it says informed the White House for its attacks.
“The White House stated that its assuredness of the chemical attack from Damascus was based on ‘mass media, reports of symptoms, video, photos as well as credible information’. After this statement the American and other Western mass media should understand their responsibility in what is happening.”“The White House stated that its assuredness of the chemical attack from Damascus was based on ‘mass media, reports of symptoms, video, photos as well as credible information’. After this statement the American and other Western mass media should understand their responsibility in what is happening.”
Zakharova compared the situation to the start of the Iraq War in 2003 based on claims Iraq was developing weapons of mass destruction.Zakharova compared the situation to the start of the Iraq War in 2003 based on claims Iraq was developing weapons of mass destruction.
Syrian state-run TV is reporting that three civilians have been wounded in the US-led missile attack on a military base in Homs.Syrian state-run TV is reporting that three civilians have been wounded in the US-led missile attack on a military base in Homs.
Reports say the attack was largely thwarted by the derailing of incoming missiles but add that nonetheless, three people were wounded.Reports say the attack was largely thwarted by the derailing of incoming missiles but add that nonetheless, three people were wounded.
The TV network says a separate attack of “a number of missiles” - targeting a scientific research centre - destroyed a building and caused other material damage but no human losses. The network said the building in the research centre included an education centre and other laboratories.The TV network says a separate attack of “a number of missiles” - targeting a scientific research centre - destroyed a building and caused other material damage but no human losses. The network said the building in the research centre included an education centre and other laboratories.
Theresa May has spoken from No. 10 on the air strikes in Syria, drawing a direct link between the strikes and the alleged Russian nerve agent attacks in Salisbury last month.Theresa May has spoken from No. 10 on the air strikes in Syria, drawing a direct link between the strikes and the alleged Russian nerve agent attacks in Salisbury last month.
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.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 Guardian’s Middle East reporter Kareem Shaheen:The Guardian’s Middle East reporter Kareem Shaheen:
This is a video purporting to be from Damascus showing Syrian air defense firing at incoming missiles with the dawn call to prayer in the city in the background.This is a video purporting to be from Damascus showing Syrian air defense firing at incoming missiles with the dawn call to prayer in the city in the background.
The Syrian government will likely portray the attack as showing Syria’s steadfastness against foreign aggression, handing a win to the Assad regime.The Syrian government will likely portray the attack as showing Syria’s steadfastness against foreign aggression, handing a win to the Assad regime.
As mentioned earlier, Syrian state TV is already calling the attack the ‘tripartite aggression’, drawing a parallel to the Suez canal campaign in 1956 against Egypt, an evocative Arab nationalist moment.As mentioned earlier, Syrian state TV is already calling the attack the ‘tripartite aggression’, drawing a parallel to the Suez canal campaign in 1956 against Egypt, an evocative Arab nationalist moment.
The Syrian government is confirming that one of the attacks hit a scientific research facility in Barzeh near Damascus, which they said destroyed an education center and scientific laboratories but didn’t cause any casualties. Its description would correspond with what the US says is a chemical weapons research facility.The Syrian government is confirming that one of the attacks hit a scientific research facility in Barzeh near Damascus, which they said destroyed an education center and scientific laboratories but didn’t cause any casualties. Its description would correspond with what the US says is a chemical weapons research facility.
It is morning in Damascus. State television is broadcasting pictures of the city, showing heavy traffic, in a bid to demonstrate an apparently unperturbed city.It is morning in Damascus. State television is broadcasting pictures of the city, showing heavy traffic, in a bid to demonstrate an apparently unperturbed city.
US-led airstrikes on Syria targeted sites in the capital Damascus, and in Homs.US-led airstrikes on Syria targeted sites in the capital Damascus, and in Homs.
Reports are emerging from Damascus, with the Syrian government saying it was able to “absorb” the US-led airstrikes on the capital and Homs, thanks to a warning from Russia. Syria says it was able to shoot down a third of the 30 missiles fired upon its territory.
The US said it gave Russia warning of the impending strikes but did not reveal any detail about targets.
Reuters is reporting:
The Syrian government and its allies have absorbed a U.S.-led attack on Saturday and the targeted sites were evacuated days ago thanks to a warning from Russia, a senior official in a regional alliance that backs Damascus said.
“We have absorbed the strike”, the official told Reuters.
“We had an early warning of the strike from the Russians ... and all military bases were evacuated a few days ago,” the official said. Around 30 missiles were fired in the attack, and a third of them were shot down, the official said.
“We are carrying out an assessment of the material damages,” the official added.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been backed in the seven-year-long Syrian war by Russia, Iran, and Iran-backed Shi’ite groups from across the region, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Ewen MacAskill has written analysis of the military strikes. He says the US-led action carries risk, ‘but it’s not World War Three’.
It is intended as a one-off, with no further strikes planned unless Syrian president Bashar al-Assad conducts chemical attacks in the future.
Confirmed photo of interceptors flying over #Syria tonight. As pointed out by @WaelAlRussi, Tomahawks or JASSMs don’t leave a trail. pic.twitter.com/kRydLRnGAy
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders and National Security Advisor John Bolton watch President Donald Trump’s announcement of military strikes on Syria. Bolton has been in the job five days. There are reports Bolton urged the president to conduct far larger military strikes than the more limited action counselled by secretary of defence Jim Mattis.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said the US operation was “robust” and “clearly well-considered”.
“Tonight, the administration notified me of the president’s decision to use military action to deter Bashar al-Assad and respond to the Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons against its own people. I support both the action and objective.”
The Guardian’s Middle East reporter Kareem Shaheen is reporting on the sites hit by US-led air strikes.
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 in the areas.
The official said the first target is believed to be a storage facility for ballistic missile fuel, and may have been used for storing chemicals. Dumayr air base is believed to be the installation from which the helicopters that carried out the Douma chemical attack took off.
They also reported that the Syrian government launched missiles from its air defense system but apparently to no effect.
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.
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/DEAW7R50aC