‘Huge Explosions’ in Damascus as AIRSTRIKES fall on Syria after Donald Trump announcement
LOUD blasts have been heard in the Syrian capital of Damascus following airstrikes by US, UK and France in a co-ordinated response to a suspected chemical attack by the Assad regime.
By THOMAS MACKIE
Express.co.uk
Sat, Apr 14, 2018
In an address from the White House Donald Trump said: “A short time ago, I ordered the United States Armed Forces to launch precision strikes on targets associated with the chemical weapons capabilities of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad,”
At least six loud explosions were heard in Damascus, and smoke was seen rising over the city even while Trump delivered his remarks.
Syrian state TV said the army’s air defences shot down 13 missiles.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a scientific research centre and military bases in Damascus were struck, as were the Syrian army’s Republican Guard and 4th Division, elite units of the Syrian military.
US Defence officials have said that both US ships and aircrafts were used in the strikes in Syria.
Eyewitnesses reported that the Barzeh district in Damascus was hit by US forces.
CNN Chief National Security Correspondent, Jim Sciutto, tweeted: “Witnesses reporting ‘huge explosions’ in Damascus.”
In his speech, Trump also said: “A combined operation with the armed forces of France and the United Kingdom is now underway. We thank them both.”
US Defence Secretary James Mattis confirmed that the wave of air strikes was over and said they did not have details available in response to Syrian state TV saying 13 Tomahawk missiles were shot down.
He said whether the US would continue military operations in Syria would depend on whether the Syrian regime decided to continue use of chemical weapons.
Russia’s Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, said in a statement Russia was warning “such actions will not left without consequences”.
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