Donald Trump has launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles against Syria, after a suspected chemical attack that killed at least 86 people, including children, caused international outrage.
The missiles, fired from two warships in the Mediterranean Sea, targeted the Ash Sha’irat airfield in Homs province, western Syria, believed to be the base from which Syrian President Bashar Assad launched the chemical weapons, US military officials told NBC.
There is no immediate word on casualties. Officials said aircraft and infrastructure at the site, including the runway, were hit.
The US had amassed a huge military presence and an array of capabilities in the region since beginning action against Islamic State but this is the first time an attack has been made on Assad’s regime.
Earlier, Mr Trump said he was considering military action against Syria with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warning that steps were already underway to remove dictator Bashar Assad.
“Something should happen,” Mr Trump said yesterday about Mr Assad who the US says was behind the chemical attack which killed more than 80 people including 11 children in northern Syria this week.
For the full article by Cameron Stewart and Joe Kelly and live updates see The Australian (subscription required).