April 2018 missile strikes against Syria

Last updated

2018 missile strikes against Syria
Part of US attacks against Syria, the American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War and the foreign involvement in the Syrian Civil War
US DoD April 2018 attack on Syria.jpg
A map of the attack sites, according to the US Department of Defense
Location
Flag of Syria.svg  Syria
Planned byFlag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Commanded by Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Emmanuel Macron
Flag of the United States.svg Donald Trump
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Theresa May
ObjectiveDegrade Syria's facilities for production of chemical weapons and deter their use [1] [2] [3]
Date14 April 2018
Executed by
OutcomeAll targets either destroyed or severely damaged (US claim)
Minimal damage (Syrian claim)
Casualties6 soldiers and 3 civilians injured (Syrian government claim) [4]

On 14 April 2018, beginning at 04:00 Syrian time (UTC+3), [5] the United States, France, and the United Kingdom carried out a series of military strikes involving aircraft and ship-based missiles against multiple government sites in Syria during the Syrian Civil War. [6] [7] The strikes were a reprisal for the Douma chemical attack against civilians on 7 April, widely attributed to the Syrian government. [8] [9] The Syrian government called the airstrikes a violation of international law. [8]

Contents

Background

A Syrian government offensive to recapture the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta suburb began in February 2018. The offensive was condemned by Western media and human rights organizations for its reportedly brutal humanitarian consequences. [10] [11] [12] By the beginning of April, Douma was one of the last rebel enclaves remaining in the region, with rebel group Jaysh al-Islam in control of the city. [13] Russian and Syrian state media reported a deal between the rebel group and Russia to hand over Douma to government control. [14] [15] Other news agencies reported members of the rebel group claiming a deal had not been brokered and that Jaysh al-Islam would not surrender Douma. [16] [17] What followed was a suspected chemical attack carried out in the Syrian city of Douma on 7 April 2018, with at least 70 people reported killed. [18] One pro-opposition source said that a thousand people suffered from the effects. [18] The Jaysh al-Islam rebel group, which controlled Douma at the time, [19] along with several medical, [20] monitoring, and activist groups, including the pro-rebel White Helmets (Syria Civil Defence), all reported that two Syrian Air Force Mi-8 helicopters had dropped barrel bombs. [18] [21] [22] [23] The bombs were filled with chlorine gas and possibly sarin. [24] The World Health Organization said it received reports from partner agencies that some 500 people arrived at health facilities showing "signs and symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic chemicals." [25] On 6 July 2018, the OPCW produced an interim report stating that chlorine residues had been found at the two attack sites, although no organophosphorous nerve agents or their degradation products were detected. [26] [27] [28]

As with previous incidents, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other nations accused the Syrian government of being responsible for the use of chemical weapons. Russia and Iran, the Syrian government's main allies, denied chemical weapons had been used, claiming it was a false flag operation. [29] [30] Russia has said video of the chemical attack was staged by members of the White Helmets. [31] [32] Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said that the Saudi Arabian-backed [33] Jaysh al-Islam was making "chemical attack fabrications in an exposed and failed attempt to obstruct advances by the Syrian Arab Army". [34]

In May 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron said the use of chemical weapons in Syria would be a red line requiring immediate reprisal. [35] France and the United States cited positive urine and blood samples collected as proof of chlorine being used in Douma. [36]

In the early hours of 9 April 2018, an airstrike was conducted against Tiyas Military Airbase in Syria. [37] The United States denied launching the airstrike, and an Israeli spokeswoman declined to comment. [38] On 10 April, an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting was held where competing solutions were presented on how to handle the response to the chemical attack; all were eventually vetoed by Russia. [39] [40] By 11 April, Western nations began to consider military action in Syria, seeking a "strong joint response." [36] [41] [42] On the same day, the Syrian government said it invited the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to investigate the sites of the attacks. "Syria is keen on cooperating with the OPCW to uncover the truth behind the allegations that some western sides have been advertising to justify their aggressive intentions," said SANA, quoting an official source in the Foreign Ministry. [43] Russia denied chemical weapons were used, and on 13 April, blamed Britain for staging the event in order to provoke US airstrikes. [44] [45]

By 12 April, British Prime Minister Theresa May had ordered Royal Navy submarines in the Mediterranean to move within cruise missile range of Syria by the end of the week. [46] British military sources later told The Times that days before the missile strikes a British Astute-class submarine armed with Tomahawk missiles and approaching within firing range of Syrian military targets was chased by "one, and possibly two" Russian Kilo-class submarines from the Russian Navy base at Tartus. The Russian submarines were supported by two frigates and an antisubmarine aircraft, while the British submarine was assisted by a US Navy P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft. Ultimately, no British submarine took part in the strikes. [47]

Military action

International law

The United Nations Charter requires a mandate from the United Nations Security Council for sovereign states to use force for the purpose of maintaining international security, but not for acting in self-defence or the protection of populations threatened by extermination at the hands of their own government. Since the UN Charter came into effect in 1945, military action in retaliation or reprisal to the act of another state has been prohibited; but a reprisal may be justified if its aim is to force the other state into compliance with its international obligations. Russia's use of its veto meant there was no prospect of the Security Council authorizing the use of force. Therefore, military action relies on an international public order argument based on defending the credibility of the prohibition of the use of chemical weapons, enforcing Syria's obligations under the terms of its membership of the Chemical Weapons Convention, and protecting civilians from further chemical weapon attacks to alleviate humanitarian suffering. [48] [49]

The strikes came hours before inspectors from the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission were due to arrive in Syria to investigate the attack. [50]

The United Kingdom published its legal position regarding military action which concluded limited strikes are justified on humanitarian grounds. [3] [51] After the strikes, the UK Parliament debated the considerations under international law regarding the urgency of the intervention, and whether there was a lack of practical alternatives. [52]

Forces involved

US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford briefing reporters on the attack Jim Mattis briefing 2018 Syria attack.jpg
US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford briefing reporters on the attack
A B-1B of 28th Bomb Wing preparing to launch a strike mission from Al Udeid Air Base B-1B, 28th Bomb Wing, prepares to launch a strike mission from Al Udeid AIr Base, April 13 2018.jpg
A B-1B of 28th Bomb Wing preparing to launch a strike mission from Al Udeid Air Base

The strikes were carried out by the forces of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France [53] and were delivered by ship-launched, submarine-launched and airborne cruise missiles. [54] All of the missiles launched by British and French forces either Storm Shadow (SCALP EG) missiles, or Missile de Croisière Naval (MdCN for Naval Cruise Missile) sea-launched cruise missiles in French service.

Flying from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, [55] four Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 fighters of No. 31 Squadron, supported by four Eurofighter Typhoon air superiority fighters of No. 6 Squadron, [56] fired a total of eight Storm Shadow missiles. [54] [57] The Royal Navy deployed the Type 45 destroyer, HMS Duncan, to provide air defense for allied naval forces. [58] The French Navy deployed a strike group in the Eastern Mediterranean consisting of the Cassard-class frigate Cassard, the Georges Leygues-class frigate Jean de Vienne, the Durance-class tanker Var, and the FREMM multipurpose frigates Aquitaine, Auvergne, and Languedoc; the latter ship fired three MdCN land attack missiles. [59] The French strike group was accompanied by the US Navy Virginia-class submarine USS John Warner, which launched six Tomahawk cruise missiles. [60]

The French Air Force participation in the strikes consisted of five Rafale B fighters from the Escadron de Chasse 1/4 Gascogne based at Saint-Dizier Air Base, each carrying two SCALP EG missiles, four Mirage 2000-5F air superiority fighters from the Escadron de chasse 1/2 Cigognes from Luxeuil Air Base, two E-3F airborne early warning and control planes from the 36e Escadre de commandement et de conduite aéroportée ''Berry''  [ fr ] from Avord Air Base, and six C-135FR tankers from the Groupe de ravitaillement en vol 2/91 Bretagne from Istres Air Base. [60] [61] [62] [63] [ non-primary source needed ]

US forces included two US Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers from the 34th Bomb Squadron, which fired a total of nineteen JASSM missiles after taking off from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. They were accompanied by four F-22A Raptor air superiority fighters from the 95th Fighter Squadron, two KC-10 Extender tankers from the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron and one US Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler electronic-warfare aircraft from VMAQ-2, which all departed from Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. [60] [64] Immediately after the strike it was claimed that long-range JASSM-ER had been fired by the two B-1B Lancer bombers, but five days later, the U.S. Air Force Central Command issued a correction saying that actually older JASSM-A were used. [65] From a position in the Red Sea the US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Laboon fired seven and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Monterey thirty Tomahawk cruise missiles, while the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Higgins fired twenty-three Tomahawks from a position in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. [66] [67] The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Donald Cook was reported to have participated in order to mislead defending forces, firing no missiles. [68] US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said twice as many weapons were used in the strike as in the 2017 Shayrat missile strike; [69] an anonymous US Defense Department official quoted by The Washington Post said about 100 Tomahawk missiles were fired by the US. [9]

The US Air Force also deployed a fighter group over the Eastern Mediterranean in the air-superiority and defensive-counter-air role, which consisted of at least eight F-15C Eagle fighters from the 493d Fighter Squadron and seven F-16C Falcon fighters from the 510th Fighter Squadron. The fighters were accompanied by at least two KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft from the 351st Air Refueling Squadron. [60] [70]

According to US military's Director of the Joint Staff, the allocation of missiles to targets was: [71]

Syria responded using its air defense systems, and its state media aired a video purporting to show a successful missile interception. [72] The Syrian state news agency SANA and Colonel-General Sergei Rudskoi of the Russian military said Syria used Russian and Soviet air defense systems Pantsir-S1, S-125, S-200, Buk, and Kvadrat. [54] [73] [74]

Strikes

Buildings destroyed by allied missile strikes, 14 April 2018 The ruins of the American missile attack on Syria 09 (cropped).jpg
Buildings destroyed by allied missile strikes, 14 April 2018
President Trump delivers his announcement at 21:00 EST (0100 UTC).
Explosions near Dummar, Syria

President Donald Trump announced the strikes at 9 pm EDT, 13 April (4 AM, 14 April in Syria, 2 AM in London, 3 AM in Paris) along with allies France and the United Kingdom. Explosions were heard in Damascus, the capital of Syria, just as Trump was speaking. [8] According to US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford, Russia had not been warned in advance of the incoming attack; [75] he was contradicted by other American and French officials. [76]

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford said three sites were targeted: a scientific research center in Damascus, a chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs, and an equipment storage facility and command post also near Homs. [77] The UK Ministry of Defence reported British aircraft struck the Him Shanshar chemical weapons precursor storage site 15 miles west of Homs. [78] [79] Witnesses reported loud explosions and smoke in the capital Damascus in the early morning, including in the Barzeh neighborhood, the site of the Barzah scientific research centre, a major research establishment. [8] The strike destroyed what employees of the facility characterised as a Syrian antivenom medical center, but which US General Joseph Dunford described as a center for research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological weapons. [80] [81] The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the attack sites included a scientific research center in Damascus and another in the Homs area, as well as military bases in Damascus and Homs. [8] The US armed forces said all missiles hit their intended targets without interference, [74] and according to Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie, the Syrian air defences fired 40 intercepting surface-to-air missiles but failed to hit any of the targets. He said most were fired after the last incoming missile had struck its target. [82] Similarly, France said none of the twelve missiles it fired appear to have been intercepted, [83] although there were reports that between three and seven French missiles were not fired due to malfunctions. [84] The Syrian Army said it "intercepted most of the missiles", [74] while the Syrian state media reported its air defenses shot down 13 incoming missiles near Al-Kiswah, south of Damascus. [54] The Russian military reported Syria's air defences shot down 71 of 103 cruise missiles, [73] [74] and listed various airports and airbases, not mentioned by US military sources, as having been targeted partly or completely unsuccessfully. [85] The SOHR, which is cited by many western media organisations, reported no known casualties, but stated there was considerable material damage while also saying that the Syrian Air Defense Force intercepted and downed at least 65 missiles. [86] [87] Syria's state-run TV news reported three civilians injured at Homs, and that the missile strike there was "aborted". [88]

Aftermath

Workers at a destroyed laboratory denied ever making any chemical weapons. [89]

Russia called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on 14 April, but the resolution it brought to the session condemning the attacks failed to pass, with only Bolivia and China supporting it. [90] [91] Nikki Haley, Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN, said the United States was "locked and loaded", should the Syrian government use chemical weapons again. [90] A further meeting of the Security Council was scheduled to be held on 16 April, to discuss a resolution presented jointly by France, the UK, and the US. The resolution calls for an independent inquiry into the use of chemical weapons in Syria, medical evacuations, and the safe passage of aid convoys across the country. [92]

The effectiveness and impact of the strike has been downplayed by analysts. [93] In Syria, the strikes were interpreted as a victory for Bashar al-Assad, because their limited scope was seen as indicating that Western countries no longer intended to seriously challenge his rule. [94] According to Russian state media, the governor of Russia's autonomous Khanty-Mansiysk district said after meeting with Assad that "President Assad was in absolutely positive spirits. He is in a good mood." [94] American Director of the Joint Staff, Lt. Gen Kenneth McKenzie, said the air strikes were a "severe blow" to the development of Syria's chemical weapons and that the United States military is "ready anytime" in the event of retaliation by the Syrian government. [95]

The activity of web brigades increased by "2,000%" following the attack, according to Chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White. [96] [97] The UK's National Cyber Security Centre, the FBI, and the US Department of Homeland Security issued a joint alert warning of a Russian global hacking campaign. [98] [99]

According to Syrian state television, Syrian air defenses intercepted missiles that targeted Shayrat Airbase "late Monday night" (16 April); however, the Pentagon spokesman said the US military was not active at the time, while an Israeli military spokesman declined to comment. [100] [101] Hezbollah's media unit claimed Syrian air defenses had also intercepted three missiles which targeted Al-Dumayr Military Airport; [102] a commander in the regional military alliance backing the government told Reuters that it was a false alarm and part of an "electronic attack" by Israel and the US on the Syrian radar system. [103] [104]

According to Jane's IHS , on 25 April 2018, the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) "appeared to contradict" the MoD's earlier 16 April account, and was now stating that 22 (rather than 32) missiles hit their targets, that 66 (rather than 71) were intercepted, and those other incoming missiles had suffered technical malfunctions. According to Russia, 46 missiles were intercepted in five areas of the capital of Syria and Duvali, Dumayr, Blai, and Mazzeh nearby airfields, and 20 missiles were intercepted in three areas of the Homs air defense zone. The MoD did agree that the U.S. hit all three of the publicly targeted sites. The MoD also displayed remnants of SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles purportedly shot down; Jane's stated that "The missile remnants it displayed could have come from missiles that hit their targets or failed in a previous attack". [105] Russian government sources claimed they had recovered as duds one Tomahawk and one 'precision air launched' missile, and would study them to improve their own weapons systems; the US denied the claims as "absurd". [106]

On 21 April, the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission visited a site in Douma to collect samples, and on 25 April visited a second site in Douma to collect further samples. The team also interviewed people related to incident in Damascus. [107] On 4 May, the OPCW announced that the initial deployment of the Fact-Finding Mission in Douma was complete. Analysis of the samples may take at least three to four weeks. [108]

Statements and reactions

The Syrian state media called the attack a "flagrant violation of international law". [8]

Domestic reaction

Within Syria the strikes, and the response of Syria's air defence units, was seen as a victory for the Government of President Assad. Crowds gathered in the streets of Damascus the following morning to celebrate what they said was the success of the Syrian Army. [109]

Belligerent nations

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement on 14 April that France's "red line has been crossed", referring to the previous attacks on Douma. [110]

While announcing the strikes, UK Prime Minister Theresa May said there was "no practicable alternative to the use of force" to deal with the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons. [78] Opposition politicians condemned the strikes, with many questioning May's decision to press ahead without obtaining parliamentary approval first. Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn called the strikes "legally questionable", said "Bombs won't save lives or bring about peace", although some of his party's MPs backed the strikes. He also said that "while much suspicion rightly points to the Assad government", other groups had carried out similar attacks and weapons inspectors must continue their investigation. [111] [112]

US President Donald Trump announced the strikes in a televised address, arguing they were part of the effort to stop Assad from using chemical weapons, and said the US was "prepared to sustain this response" until this was achieved. [54] Dana W. White, The Pentagon Chief Spokesperson, said "this operation does not represent a change in US policy or an attempt to depose the Syrian regime". [82] The New York Times reported the reactions initially broke among partisan lines, with members of the Republican Party—the party of President Donald Trump—being generally supportive while the Democrats were generally critical. [113] Republicans Tom Cotton and Orrin Hatch praised the strikes. [114] Other US lawmakers, in particular Democrats, although generally supportive of a limited strike to punish Assad for using banned chemical weapons, criticized the Trump administration for not seeking Congressional approval and for not having a "coherent Syria Strategy". [114] Democratic senator Tim Kaine re-emphasized his long-held belief that the military intervention without Congressional authorization and long-term strategy are "illegal" and "reckless". [115] [116]

On 19 April, at a Pentagon press briefing, American Director of the Joint Staff Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie affirmed that Russian air defenses - which included advanced S-400 missile systems [117] - were active but did not engage any missiles during the operation. "Russian air defenses were energized. They were scanning. They had a mainstay [ sic ] air defense aircraft up. They did not choose to engage, so I cannot speculate about why they did or did not do that," McKenzie stated, while denying that any missiles were shot down by Syrian air defenses. [118] [119]

Syrian-allied states

The Iran Foreign Ministry condemned the missile strikes, said there is "no proof" of Syrian responsibility in the chemical attack on Douma, and criticized the United States for attacking without waiting for an Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons investigation. [120] Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, called Trump, May and Macron "criminals" and warned "they will gain nothing" from the strike. [121]

Russian politician Alexander Sherin referred to the strike as a terrorist attack and compared it to Operation Barbarossa. [122] Russian President Vladimir Putin described the strikes as an "act of aggression". [90] Russia also called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. [123] Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the United States, strongly condemned the coalition attacks on Syria and warned the Western countries of "consequences". [124] Sergei Rudskoi, a Russian Colonel-General, in a TV briefing, said Russia may consider sending S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Syria and other countries. [123]

Other NATO member states

Albania, [125] [126] [127] Bulgaria, [128] Canada, [129] Croatia, [130] the Czech Republic, [131] [132] Denmark, [133] Estonia, [134] Germany, [135] Greece, [136] Italy, [137] [138] the Netherlands, [139] Poland, [140] [141] [142] Romania, [143] Spain, [144] and Turkey [145] [146] [147] all agreed the decision to attack was justified.

Supranational organizations

Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres called for restraint from all states. [148]

President of the European Council Donald Tusk confirmed the European Union's support for the strikes [149] as did High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. [150] Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg supported the strikes in a statement. [151]

The Collective Security Treaty Organization condemned the strikes as violating norms of international law. [152]

Non-state organizations

Mohammed Alloush, a key member of the Army of Islam (a coalition of Salafist and Islamist rebel groups) [153] criticized the missile strikes for not going far enough, writing on Twitter that the airstrikes were a "farce" and an example of punishing "the instrument of the crime while keeping the criminal [in power]". [154] In a press statement released on 14 April 2018, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum that the organization "condemns in the strongest terms" the airstrikes, describing them as "blatant aggression on Syrian soil [with the aim] to destroy its capabilities in order to preserve the existence of the Zionist entity". [155]

Religious organizations

Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, the patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and Patriarch John X of Antioch, primate of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All The East, issued a joint condemnation of the strikes. They said the bombings "were clear violation of the international laws and the UN Charter", and that the "unjust aggression encourages the terrorist organizations and gives them momentum to continue in their terrorism." [156]

Public opposition in the West

Protests against the strikes occurred in the United Kingdom in April 2018, including in London (organised by the Stop the War Coalition, which said the strikes risked "causing a catastrophic war with Russia") and Bristol, Exeter, Swansea and Milton Keynes. [157] The British Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament described the decision of the government to carry out airstrikes in Syria as defying international law and criticised Prime Minister Theresa May for bypassing parliament in her decision on the matter. [158] The British Stop the War Coalition condemned the missile strikes in a public statement in April 2018. [159] [ non-primary source needed ] Public opinion on the missile strikes was "evenly split" according to a report by The Week. [160]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bashar al-Assad</span> President of Syria since 2000

Bashar al-Assad is a Syrian politician and dictator who has been the 19th and current president of Syria since 2000. In addition, he is the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Armed Forces and the secretary-general of the Central Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. He is a son of Hafez al-Assad, who was the 18th president of Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douma, Syria</span> City in Syria

Douma is a city in Syria. Its centre is about 10 km (6 mi) northeast of the centre of Damascus. Being the capital of Rif Dimashq Governorate, the city is also the administrative centre of Douma District. Douma is a major city of the region known as Ghouta, for the peri-urban settlements to the east and south of Damascus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syria and weapons of mass destruction</span>

Syria and weapons of mass destruction deals with the research, manufacture, stockpiling and alleged use by Syria of weapons of mass destruction, which include chemical and nuclear weapons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war</span> Political, military and operational support to parties involved in the ongoing conflict in Syria

Foreign involvement in the Syrian civil war refers to political, military and operational support to parties involved in the ongoing conflict in Syria that began in March 2011, as well as active foreign involvement. Most parties involved in the war in Syria receive various types of support from foreign countries and entities based outside Syria. The ongoing conflict in Syria is widely described as a series of overlapping proxy wars between the regional and world powers, primarily between the United States and Russia as well as between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

There have been numerous reports of chemical weapons attacks in the Syrian Civil War, beginning in 2012, and corroborated by national governments, the United Nations (UN), the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Human Rights Watch (HRW), and media organizations. The attacks occurred in different areas of Syria, including Khan al-Assal, Jobar, Saraqib, Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, Kafr Zita, Talmenes, Sarmin and Douma. The deadliest attacks were the August 2013 sarin attack in Ghouta, the April 2017 sarin attack in Khan Shaykhun and April 2018 Douma chemical attacks. The most common agent used is chlorine, with sarin and sulphur mustard also reported. Almost half of the attacks between 2014 and 2018 were delivered via aircraft and less than a quarter were delivered from the ground, with the remaining attacks having an undetermined method of delivery. Since the start of uprisings across Syria in 2011, Syrian Arab Armed Forces and pro-Assad paramilitary forces have been implicated in more than 300 chemical attacks in Syria.

Syria's chemical weapons program began in the 1970s with weapons and training from Egypt and the Soviet Union, with production of chemical weapons in Syria beginning in the mid-1980s. For some time, Syria was believed to have the world's third-largest stockpile of chemical weapons, after the United States and Russia. Prior to September 2013 Syria had not publicly admitted to possessing chemical weapons, although Western intelligence services believed it to hold one of the world's largest stockpiles. In September 2013, French intelligence put the Syrian stockpile at 1,000 tonnes, including Yperite, VX and "several hundred tonnes of sarin". At the time, Syria was one of a handful of states which had not ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention. In September 2013, Syria joined the CWC, and agreed to the destruction of its weapons, to be supervised by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), as required by the convention. A joint OPCW-United Nations mission was established to oversee the destruction process. Syria joined OPCW after international condemnation of the August 2013 Ghouta chemical attack, for which Western states held the Syrian government responsible and agreed to the prompt destruction of its chemical weapons, resulting in U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry declaring on 20 July 2014: "we struck a deal where we got 100 percent of the chemical weapons out." The destruction of Syria's chemical weapons that the Assad government had declared was completed by August 2014, yet further disclosures, incomplete documentation, and allegations of withholding part of Syria's chemical weapons stockpile since mean that serious concerns regarding chemical weapons and related sites in Syria remain. On 5 April 2017, the government of Syria allegedly unleashed a chemical attack that killed 70 civilians. A suspected chemical attack on Douma on 9 April 2018 that killed at least 49 civilians has been blamed on the Syrian Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Destruction of Syria's chemical weapons</span> Part of the Syrian peace process

The destruction of Syria's chemical weapons began on 14 September 2013 after Syria entered into several international agreements which called for the elimination of Syria's chemical weapon stockpiles and set a destruction deadline of 30 June 2014. Also on 14 September 2013, Syria acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and agreed to its provisional application pending its entry into force on 14 October. Having acceded to the CWC, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Executive Council on 27 September approved a detailed implementation plan that required Syria to assume responsibility for and follow a timeline for the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons and Syrian chemical weapon production facilities. Following the signing of the Framework Agreement on 14 September 2013 and after the OPCW implementation plan, on 27 September the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2118 which bound Syria to the timetable set out in the OPCW implementation plan. The joint OPCW-UN mission was established to oversee the implementation of the destruction program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">US intervention in the Syrian civil war</span> Ongoing military intervention in West Asia

On 22 September 2014, the United States officially intervened in the Syrian civil war with the stated aim of fighting the terrorist organization ISIS in support of the international war against it, code named Operation Inherent Resolve. The US currently continues to support the Syrian rebels and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces opposed to both the Islamic State and Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

The OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria is a mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to investigate some possible cases of the use of toxic chemicals in Syria during the civil war, including chlorine. The 21 August 2013 Ghouta chemical attack used sarin. The OPCW-Director General Ahmet Üzümcü announced the creation of the mission on 29 April 2014. This initial mission was headed by Malik Ellahi. The Syrian Government agreed to the Mission.

The following is a timeline of the Syrian Civil War from August to December 2015. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at Casualties of the Syrian Civil War.

The Khan Shaykhun chemical attack took place on 4 April 2017 on the town of Khan Shaykhun in the Idlib Governorate of Syria. The town was reported to have been struck by an airstrike by government forces followed by massive civilian chemical poisoning. The release of a toxic gas, which included sarin, or a similar substance, killed at least 89 people and injured more than 541, according to the opposition Idlib Health Directorate. The attack was the deadliest use of chemical weapons in the Syrian civil war since the Ghouta chemical attack in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Shayrat missile strike</span> United States missile strike in Syria on 7 April 2017

On the morning of 7 April 2017, the United States launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the Mediterranean Sea into Syria, aimed at Shayrat Airbase controlled by the Syrian government. The strike was executed on the authorization of U.S. President Donald Trump, as a direct response to the Khan Shaykhun chemical attack that occurred on 4 April.

During the Syrian Civil War, Russian and Syrian government forces have conducted a campaign that has focused on the destruction of hospitals and medical facilities within areas not under the control of the Syrian government. Russian and Syrian officials have repeatedly denied deliberately targeting medical facilities.

The following is a timeline of the Syrian Civil War from January to April 2018. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at Casualties of the Syrian Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siege of Eastern Ghouta</span> 2013–2018 Syrian siege east of Damascus

The siege of Eastern Ghouta was a siege that was laid by Syrian Government forces in April 2013, to the area in eastern Ghouta held by anti-government forces since November 2012, during the Syrian civil war. The cities and villages under siege were Douma, Mesraba, Arbin, Hamouria, Saqba, Modira, Eftreis, Jisrin, as well as suburbs of Damascus Beit Sawa, Harasta, Zamalka, Ein Tarma, Hizzah and Kafr Batna. By 2016, around 400,000 people were trapped in an area just over 100 square kilometres in size, thus with a population density around 4,000 inhabitants/km2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">France–Syria relations</span> Bilateral relations

France–Syria relations refers to the bilateral relations between France and the Syrian Arab Republic. France had an embassy in Damascus and a consulate general in Aleppo and Latakia. Syria has an embassy in Paris and honorary consulates in Marseille and Pointe-à-Pitre.

On 7 April 2018, a chemical warfare attack was launched by the forces of the government of Bashar al-Assad in the city of Douma, Syria. Medics and witnesses reported that it caused the deaths of between 40 and 50 people and injuries to possibly well over 100. The attack was attributed to the Syrian Army by rebel forces in Douma, and by the United States, British, and French governments. A two-year long investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) concluded in January 2023 that the Syrian Air Force perpetrated the chemical attacks during its military campaign in Douma. On 14 April 2018, the United States, France and the United Kingdom carried out a series of military strikes against multiple government sites in Syria.

The Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war refers to the Iranian–Israeli standoff in and around Syria during the Syrian conflict. With increasing Iranian involvement in Syria from 2011 onwards, the conflict shifted from a proxy war into a direct confrontation by early 2018.

The following is a timeline of the Syrian civil war for 2020. Information about aggregated casualty counts is found at Casualties of the Syrian civil war.

References

  1. ↑ "Full Text of Trump Statement on Syria Attack". US News. 6 April 2017. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  2. ↑ République, Présidence de la. "Press statement by the President of the French Republic on the intervention of the French armed forces in response to the use of chemical weapons in Syria". elysee.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Syria action – UK government legal position". Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  4. ↑ "U.S., France and U.K. Strike Syria Over Chemical Attack". Haaretz. 15 April 2018. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  5. ↑ Borger, Julian (14 April 2018). "Syria: US, UK and France launch air strikes in response to chemical attack". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  6. ↑ Liptak, Kevin; Zeleny, Jeff; Cohen, Zachary (14 April 2018). "Trump: US launches strikes on Syria". CNN. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  7. ↑ Stewart, Phil; Perry, Tom (15 April 2018). "U.S. has taken decision to strike Syria: Fox News". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Stewart, Phil; Perry, Tom (12 April 2018). "Trump says ordered precision strikes against Syria chemical weapons..." U.S. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  9. 1 2 Gearan, Anne; Ryan, Missy (13 April 2018). "U.S. launches missile strikes in Syria". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018.
  10. ↑ "France condemns 'human rights violations' in Syria's Eastern Ghouta". RFI. 20 February 2018. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  11. ↑ "Russia Backs Syria in Unlawful Attacks on Eastern Ghouta". Human Rights Watch. 18 March 2018. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  12. ↑ "The Unfolding Humanitarian Catastrophe in Eastern Ghouta". www.amnesty.org. 26 February 2018. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  13. ↑ Perry, Tom; Bassam, Laila (7 April 2018). "Syrian government launches assault on last rebel enclave in Ghouta". Reuters. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  14. ↑ "The Latest: Russia says rebels are leaving Syria's Douma". AP. 2 April 2018. Archived from the original on 19 November 2018.
  15. ↑ Al-Khalidi, Suleiman (2 April 2018). "Last eastern Ghouta rebels poised to surrender: Syrian state media". Reuters. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  16. ↑ Issa, Philip (1 April 2018). "Syria: Fighters begin leaving Ghouta's last rebel-held town". AP. Archived from the original on 7 March 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  17. ↑ "Reports of Douma evacuation deal 'not true': council member". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  18. 1 2 3 "Suspected Syria chemical attack kills 70". BBC News. 8 April 2018. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  19. ↑ Nehme, Dahlia (8 April 2018). King, Larry (ed.). "Jaish al-Islam to leave Douma in return for releasing prisoners - state TV". Reuters. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  20. ↑ "Syrian rebels evacuated from Douma reach northwest: monitor". Reuters. 10 April 2018. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018.
  21. ↑ Lusher, Adam (8 April 2018). "Syrian government accused of using nerve agents as death toll from Douma 'chemical weapons attack' rises". The Independent . Archived from the original on 12 April 2018.
  22. ↑ Almasy, Steve (8 April 2018). "Dozens dead in possible gas attack in Syria; regime denies allegation". CNN. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018.
  23. ↑ Loveluck, Louisa; Cunningham, Erin (8 April 2018). "Dozens killed in apparent chemical weapons attack on civilians in Syria, rescue workers say" . The Washington Post . Archived from the original on 12 April 2018.
  24. ↑ Dorell, Oren (8 April 2018). "Syria chemical attack would be the eighth since Trump took office". USA Today . Archived from the original on 10 April 2018.
  25. ↑ Shaheen, Kareem (11 April 2018). "Syria: 500 Douma patients had chemical attack symptoms, reports say". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  26. ↑ "Issues Fact-Finding Mission Reports on Chemical Weapons Use Allegations in Douma, Syria in 2018 and in Al-Hamadaniya and Karm Al-Tarrab in 2016, OPCW, 6 July 2018". OPCW. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  27. ↑ "OPCW finds 'chlorinated compounds' in Douma". BBC. 7 July 2018. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  28. ↑ Deutsch, Anthony (8 July 2018). "Chemical weapons agency finds 'chlorinated' chemicals in Syria's Douma". Reuters. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  29. ↑ Chulov, Martin; Shaheen, Kareem; Chrisafis, Angelique; Pengelly, Martin (8 April 2018). "Trump: 'big price to pay' for Syria chemical weapons attack". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018.
  30. ↑ "Russian Foreign Ministry slams reports on Douma chemical attack as fake news". TASS. 8 April 2018. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  31. ↑ "Генштаб РФ объявил об отправке в Думу российской военной полиции" (in Russian). NEWSru. 11 April 2018. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018.
  32. ↑ "White Helmets staged Douma 'chemical weapons attack' on civilians — Russian General Staff". tass.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  33. ↑ "MAPPING MILITANT ORGANIZATIONS: Jaish al-Islam". Stanford University. 31 August 2017. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
  34. ↑ Shaheen, Kareem (8 April 2018). "Dozens killed in suspected chemical attack on Syrian rebel enclave". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  35. ↑ Rose, Michel (29 May 2017). Thomas, Leigh (ed.). "Chemical weapons a red line in Syria, France's Macron says". Reuters. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  36. 1 2 "Macron 'has Syria chemical attack proof'". BBC News. 12 April 2018. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  37. ↑ "Israel blamed for Syria airfield attack". BBC News. 9 April 2018. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  38. ↑ Al-Khalidi, Suleiman. "Syria, Russia accuse Israel of missile attack on air base". U.S. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  39. ↑ Kennedy, Merrit (10 April 2018). "Russia Vetoes U.S. Resolution on Syria in U.N. Security Council". NPR. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  40. ↑ Nichols, Michelle (11 April 2018). Oatis, Jonathan (ed.). "Russia vetoes U.S. bid to form new Syria chemical weapons inquiry". Reuters. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  41. ↑ "Cabinet agrees 'need for action' in Syria". BBC News. 13 April 2018. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  42. ↑ "Trump Warns Russia: 'Get Ready' for Attack on Syria". The New York Times. Associated Press. 11 April 2018. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  43. ↑ Nehme, Dahlia (10 April 2018). Lawrence, Janet (ed.). "Syria invites OPCW to investigate alleged chemical attack in Douma". Reuters. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  44. ↑ Dorell, Oren (13 April 2018). "Russia just blamed Britain for Syria chemical attack. Here's who else Moscow blames". USA Today. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  45. ↑ "Russia says Britain helped fake Syria chemical attack, calls for emergency UN meeting to 'avert danger of war'". ABC News. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  46. ↑ Rayner, Gordon; Hope, Christopher (11 April 2018). "British submarines move into missile range of Syria". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  47. ↑ Ripley, Tim; Hookham, Mark (15 April 2018). "British submarine in duel with Kremlin's 'Black Hole' hunter-killer". The Sunday Times. ISSN   0956-1382. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  48. ↑ Weller, Marc (14 April 2018). "Were the Syria air strikes legal?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  49. ↑ "Reality Check: Does Russia always use a veto on Syria?". BBC News. 16 April 2018. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  50. ↑ Burns, Robert; Colvin, Jill; Miller, Zeke (13 April 2018). "Trump: US, allied strikes aimed at Syria's chemical weapons". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018.
  51. ↑ "UK publishes legal case for Syria strikes". BBC News. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  52. ↑ "Syrian strikes moral and legal, says PM". BBC News. 16 April 2018. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  53. ↑ Elgot, Jessica (14 April 2018). "Theresa May orders Britain to join air strikes on Syria". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  54. 1 2 3 4 5 Cooper, Helene; Shear, Michael D.; Hubbard, Ben (13 April 2018). "Trump Orders Strikes on Syria Over Suspected Chemical Weapons Attack". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  55. ↑ "Syria air strikes: UK confident strikes were successful, says PM". BBC News. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 31 October 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  56. ↑ Siret, Mal; Lee, Joseph (14 April 2018). "Western powers strike Syria targets after suspected chemical attack". BBC News. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  57. ↑ Beale, Jonathan (14 April 2018). "Syria air strikes: RAF used 'fire and forget' missiles to minimise risk". BBC News. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  58. ↑ Henry, Boyd (12 April 2018). "Syria strike: French, British and US combat assets". International Institute for Strategic Studies. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  59. ↑ Youssef, Nancy A.; Bender, Michael C. (14 April 2018). "U.S., U.K. and France Launch Strikes Against Syria". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN   0099-9660. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  60. 1 2 3 4 Rogoway, Tyler (29 April 2018). "This Awesome Chart Shows All The Assets Used In The Trilateral Missile Strikes On Syria". The War Zone . Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  61. ↑ "Successful Strikes and Targets Hit in Syria". Defense-Aerospace.com. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  62. ↑ Merchet, Jean-Dominique (14 April 2018). "La France a tiré douze missiles de croisière contre la Syrie". L'Opinion (in French). Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  63. ↑ "Élysée on Twitter". Twitter. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  64. ↑ Zachary Cohen; Kevin Liptak (14 April 2018). "US, France and UK strike Syria's chemical weapons program". CNN. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  65. ↑ Pawlyk, Oriana (19 April 2018). "DoD Officials Erred About Weapons, Fighters Used in Syria Strike Mission". Military.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  66. ↑ Rogoway, Tyler; Trevithick, Joseph (14 April 2018). "Here Are All The Details The Pentagon Just Released Regarding Its Missile Attack on Syria". The War Zone . Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  67. ↑ LaGrone, Sam; Werner, Ben (14 April 2018). "VIDEO: U.S., French Warships Launch Strikes on Chemical Weapons Targets in Syria". USNI News. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  68. ↑ Leoni, Victoria (22 April 2018). "How the US positioned its warships to trick Russia ahead of Syrian strikes". Navy Times. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  69. ↑ Rocha, Veronica; Ries, Brian; Griffiths, James; Said-Moorhouse, Lauren; Wills, Amanda (14 April 2018). "US, UK and France strike Syria: Live updates". Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  70. ↑ Cenciotti, David (14 April 2018). "Here are the first photos of the U.S. Air Force F-16C and F-15C jets and KC-135 tankers returning to Aviano after tonight's mission". The Aviationist. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  71. ↑ "US-led strikes on Syria: What was targeted?". BBC News. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  72. ↑ "Video reportedly shows missile interception". CNN. 2018. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  73. 1 2 Beaumont, Peter; Roth, Andrew (14 April 2018). "Russia claims Syria air defences shot down 71 of 103 missiles". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  74. 1 2 3 4 Stracqualursi, Veronica (14 April 2018). "Trump declares 'mission accomplished' in Syria strike". CNN. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  75. ↑ Jacobs, Peter (14 April 2018). "America, Britain and France strike Syria". Insider. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  76. ↑ "America, Britain and France strike Syria". The Economist . 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  77. ↑ Rocha, Veronica; Griffiths, James; Said-Moorhouse, Lauren; Wills, Amanda; Ries, Brian (14 April 2018). "Syrian state TV claims attack in Homs was thwarted". CNN. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  78. 1 2 "Four RAF fighters join Syria air strikes". BBC News. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  79. ↑ "RAF jets strike chemical weapon facility in Syria". GOV.UK. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 1 November 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  80. ↑ "Syria Strike Reduces Research Center to Smoking Rubble". The New York Times. 14 April 2018. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  81. ↑ "At destroyed Syria lab, workers say they produce antidotes to snake venom not toxic weapons". Hindustan Times. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  82. 1 2 MacAskill, Ewen; Borger, Julian (14 April 2018). "Allies dispute Russian and Syrian claims of shot-down missiles". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  83. ↑ Barnes, Tom (14 April 2018). "Russia claims 71 of 103 missiles shot down during overnight air strikes". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  84. ↑ Merchet, Jean-Dominique (17 April 2018). "La Marine a rencontré des " aléas technique " lors du tir des missiles de croisière (actualisé)". L'Opinion (in French). Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  85. ↑ "Briefing by Russian Defence Ministry official Major General Igor Konashenkov". Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation. 16 April 2018. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  86. ↑ "The Western Coalition's strikes targeted important centers of the regime in the capital Damascus and its vicinity, as well as the outskirts of Homs city". SOHR. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  87. ↑ Siret, Mal; Lee, Joseph (14 April 2018). "'More than 65 missiles intercepted' - monitoring group (14:10h)". BBC. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  88. ↑ "Syrian TV says 3 wounded in Homs missile strike". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  89. ↑ "At destroyed Syria lab, workers deny producing toxic weapons". Agence France-Presse. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018.
  90. 1 2 3 Helmore, Edward; Greenfield, Patrick; Grierson, Jamie; Doherty, Ben; Russell, Graham (14 April 2018). "Syria latest: British defence secretary says attacks 'highly successful'". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  91. ↑ "Security Council rejects Russian request to condemn airstrikes in Syria | UN News". United Nations. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  92. ↑ Wintour, Patrick (15 April 2018). "Syria: western allies launch diplomatic offensive in wake of strikes". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  93. ↑ McCausland, Phil; Talmazan, Yuliya (15 April 2018). "Trump's U.S.-led airstrike on Syria won't stop Assad's chemical capabilities, experts say". NBC News . Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  94. 1 2 Sly, Liz (15 April 2018). "Syria's Assad in a 'good mood,' scorns U.S. weaponry after airstrikes". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018. "President Assad was in absolutely positive spirits. He is in a good mood," the Interfax news agency quoted Natalya Komarova, governor of Russia's autonomous Khanty-Mansiysk district, as saying. [...] Despite claims by President Trump that the operation was an "enormous success," it is being interpreted in Syria as a win for Assad because the limited scope of the strikes suggested that Western powers do not intend to challenge his rule.
  95. ↑ "Syria strikes: All the latest updates". Al Jazeera. 15 April 2018. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  96. ↑ Rocha, Veronica; Wills, Amanda; Ries, Brian (14 April 2018). "As it happened: The strike and its aftermath". CNN. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  97. ↑ Rayner, Gordon; Yorke, Harry (15 April 2018). "Russia launches cyber war on UK with 'dirty tricks' campaign as PM to face Commons over Syria strikes". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  98. ↑ "Russia accused of net hack attacks". BBC News. 16 April 2018. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  99. ↑ "Russian State-Sponsored Cyber Actors Targeting Network Infrastructure Devices". US-CERT. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  100. ↑ Al-Khalidi, Suleiman (17 April 2018). Adler, Leslie (ed.). "Syrian air defenses shoot down missiles in Homs: state TV". Yahoo News. Amman. Reuters. Archived from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  101. ↑ "No U.S. military activity in Syria's Homs at this time: Pentagon". Reuters. Washington. 17 April 2018. Archived from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  102. ↑ "Pro-Iranian Hezbollah Says Missiles Intercepted Over Syria's Dumair Military Airport". New York Times. Amman. Reuters. 17 April 2018. Archived from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  103. ↑ "False alarm set off Syrian air defenses: pro-Assad commander". Reuters. Beirut. 17 April 2018. Archived from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  104. ↑ Khoury, Jack (17 April 2018). "Syria Blames Missiles, False Alarm on 'Joint Electronic Attack' by Israel and U.S." Haaretz. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  105. ↑ Binnie, Jeremy (26 April 2018). "Russia displays cruise missiles 'shot down' in Syria". Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 2 May 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  106. ↑ Ellyatt, Holly (25 April 2018). "Russia claims it has a US Tomahawk cruise missile and will use it to improve its own weapons". CNBC. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  107. ↑ "OPCW Fact-Finding Mission Visits Second Site in Douma, Syria" (Press release). OPCW. 25 April 2018. Archived from the original on 27 April 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  108. ↑ "OPCW Spokesperson's Statement on Fact-Finding Mission Deployment to Douma" (Press release). OPCW. 4 May 2018. Archived from the original on 4 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  109. ↑ "Syrians gather in capital in defiance after airstrikes". PBS . 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  110. ↑ "French President Macron says 'red line has been crossed' in Syria". PBS NewsHour. 13 April 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  111. ↑ Helm, Toby; Chulov, Martin; Siddiqui, Sabrina; Savage, Michael (14 April 2018). "Theresa May faces anger over Syria raids as Trump declares 'mission accomplished'". The Observer. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  112. ↑ "Syria air strikes: Theresa May says action 'moral and legal'". BBC News. 17 April 2018. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  113. ↑ Cooper, Helene; Shear, Michael D.; Hubbard, Ben (13 April 2018). "Trump Orders Strikes on Syria Over Suspected Chemical Weapons Attack". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018. Early reaction to the strikes from Capitol Hill appeared to break down along party lines, with Republicans expressing support for the president and Democrats questioning whether Mr. Trump has a well-thought-out strategy for what happens after the military action is over.
  114. 1 2 Ebbs, Stephanie; Rogin, Ali (13 April 2018). "Members of Congress react to US strike on Syria". ABC News. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  115. ↑ Kheel, Rebecca (13 April 2018). "Kaine rips Syria strikes: What's stopping Trump from bombing Iran, North Korea next?". TheHill. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  116. ↑ Anderson, Meg (23 July 2016). "Where Tim Kaine And Hillary Clinton Stand on Key Issues". NPR. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  117. ↑ Beaumont, Peter; Roth, Andrew (14 April 2018). "Russia claims Syria air defences shot down 71 of 103 missiles". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  118. ↑ Michaels, Jim (20 April 2018). "105 to 0: Why Syria's air defenses failed to intercept a single incoming missile". USA Today. Archived from the original on 20 April 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  119. ↑ Allahverdi, Safvan (20 April 2018). "No intent to change Syria's strategic balance: Pentagon". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  120. ↑ "US and allies strike Syria 'chemical weapons sites'". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  121. ↑ "امام خامنه‌ای:‌حمله سحرگاه امروز به سوریه جنایت است/رئیس‌جمهور آمریکا، رئیس‌جمهور فرانسه و نخست‌وزیر اخبار تسنیم" (in Persian). Tasnim News Agency. Archived from the original on 12 September 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  122. ↑ James, Mike; Dorell, Oren (13 April 2018). "Russian politician calls Trump 'Adolf Hitler No. 2 of our time'". USA Today. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  123. 1 2 "Russia calls for UN meeting on Syria, mulls supplies of S-300 systems". CNBC. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  124. ↑ Cooper, Helene; Gibbons-Neff, Thomas; Hubbard, Ben (13 April 2018). "U.S., Britain and France Strike Syria Over Suspected Chemical Weapons Attack". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  125. ↑ "Syria Strikes Win Support but Raise Concern in Balkans". Balkan Insight. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  126. ↑ "Albanian Foreign Minister supports US, French and British attacks against Assad's regime in Syria". Top Channel. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  127. ↑ "Albanian President supports Western allies for attack in Syria". Top Channel. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  128. ↑ "Bulgaria calls for de-escalation of tensions after US-led air strike on Syria". The Sofia Globe. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  129. ↑ "Statement by the Prime Minister on airstrikes in Syria". 13 April 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  130. ↑ "Hrvatska stala uz SAD, Ministarstvo: "Podupiremo saveznike i pratimo situaciju"" (in Croatian). Index.hr. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  131. ↑ "Statement of the MFA on the current developments in Syria". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  132. ↑ "Spojené státy Česko o útoku na Sýrii informovaly, uvedl Stropnický. Podle Babiše byl úder nevyhnutelný". ČT24 (in Czech). Česká televize. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  133. ↑ "Statsministeren om militært modsvar i Syrien" (in Danish). Statsministeriet. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  134. ↑ "Estonian reactions to US, French, British strikes against Syrian forces". ERR. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  135. ↑ "Germany backs airstrikes in Syria as 'necessary and appropriate'". DW. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  136. ↑ "Greece calls for political, sustainable solution in Syria after air strikes". No. 14 April 2018. Xinhua News Agency. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  137. ↑ "European leaders back Syria airstrikes; China against". ABC News. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  138. ↑ "Siria, Gentiloni: "Azione mirata e circoscritta, ma non sia inizio di un'escalation". L'attacco spacca il centrodestra". 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  139. ↑ Blake, Sarah; Smethurst, Annika; Whinnett, Ellen (15 April 2018). "Big problem with Trump's air strikes". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  140. ↑ "Polish president voices support for allied strikes on Syria – Radio Poland :: News from Poland". Thenews.pl. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  141. ↑ "World 'cannot remain inactive,' Polish foreign ministry says after Syria strikes – Radio Poland :: News from Poland". Thenews.pl. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  142. ↑ "Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 14th April 2018". msz.gov.pl. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  143. ↑ Ana Petrescu (14 April 2018). "Iohannis afirmă solidaritatea României cu alianţa SUA-Marea Britanie-Franţa: Folosirea armelor chimice este dincolo de orice justificare". Gândul (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  144. ↑ "Spain Says Syria Strikes "Proportional" But Regrets Lack of Coordinated International Pressure on Assad". No. 14 April 2018. The Spain Report. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  145. ↑ Reuters Editorial. "Strikes on Syria 'appropriate response': Turkish foreign ministry..." U.S. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2018.{{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  146. ↑ "Son dakika... Bekir Bozdağ: 'Türkiye saldırıdan önce bilgilendirildi'". Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018. Son dakika... Bekir Bozdağ: 'Türkiye saldırıdan önce bilgilendirildi'
  147. ↑ "Turkey's Erdogan welcomes Western attack on Syria, says operation a message to Assad". Reuters. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  148. ↑ "UN chief Guterres urges restraint after strikes on Syria". eNews Channel Africa. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  149. ↑ Demianyk, Graeme; Sommers, Jack. "Britain, US And France Launch 'Precision Strikes' In Syria in Response To 'Despicable' Chemical Attack". HuffPost. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  150. ↑ Smyth, Patrick (14 April 2018). "EU endorses attacks on Syria by US, UK and France". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  151. ↑ "Statement by the NATO Secretary General on the actions against the Syrian regime's chemical weapons facilities and capabilities". NATO. Archived from the original on 13 December 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  152. ↑ "CSTO condemns US-led airstrikes on Syria". Armenpress. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  153. ↑ "Who's involved in the rebels' Aleppo offensive? The cliff-notes". The New Arab . 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 14 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  154. ↑ "Blasts shake Damascus as US and allies launch Syria strikes". Daily Times . 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  155. ↑ Barhoum, Fawzi (14 April 2018). "Hamas condemns tripartite aggression on Syria". Hamas . Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  156. ↑ "A Statement Issued by the Patriarchates of Antioch and all the East for the Greek Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, and Greek-Melkite Catholic Damascus, 14 April 2018". Antioch. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  157. ↑ Wills, Ella (16 April 2018). "Thousands urge 'don't bomb Syria' in protests against airstrikes as Theresa May grilled by MPs". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 20 October 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  158. ↑ Savage, Michael; Townsend, Mark (14 April 2018). "Parliament and UK public split over decision to bomb Syria". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 20 October 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  159. ↑ "StWC Statement on Douma Attacks & the War in Syria – 09/04/18". Stop the War Coalition. 9 April 2018. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  160. ↑ "Fact Check: The truth about public support for Syria air strikes". The Week UK. 20 April 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.