VLADY CHEEK
Vladimir Putin brands Syria air strikes an ‘act of aggression’ as Russia warns of ‘consequences’ over bombing raids
RUSSIA has warned there "will be consequences" following airstrikes on Syria launched by the joint military forces of the US, Britain and France in response to a chemical attack on civilians.
Vladimir Putin denounced the strike after his ambassador to the United States said the bombings were an insult to the president as the three nations joined forces in response to the "evil and despicable crimes of a monster".
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Britain, US and France launched more than 100 airstrikes in a "one-time shot" against Syria early this morning.
General Joseph Dunford confirmed three targets had been struck at a Pentagon briefing shortly after Trump's announcement.
These include a scientific research facility in Damascus, which is allegedly linked to the production of chemical and biological weapons, a chemical weapons storage close to Homs and a chemical weapons equipment storage sight and command post, also near Homs.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson described the airstrikes as "highly successful" and said no personnel had been injured.
US, UK and France launch air strikes in Syria in response to chemical attack
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New footage shows French missile launch against Syria as part of US-coordinated attack
What we know so far:
- US, UK and French launched airstrikes on Syria in revenge for 'evil' chemical attack
- Pentagon confirms 105 missiles were launched against several facilities
- RAF Tornado jets bomb Syria chemical weapons factory in Homs with Storm Shadow missiles in strikes that saw 105 missiles launched against several facilities
- Tomahawk missiles were fired from a US Navy guided missile destroyer in the Mediterranean, while French military also launched cruise missiles from warship
- Syrian media says three civilians were injured in 'a flagrant violation of international law'
- Trump tweeted that the raid were 'perfectly executed'
- PM Theresa May says the attack was 'absolutely in Britain's national interest'
- Jeremy Corbyn, called the strikes 'legally questionable'
- Putin warns of 'consequences' for an 'act of aggression' that had 'destructive influence on the entire system of international relations'
Theresa May said there was 'no practicable alternative to the use of force' after Donald Trump announced the retaliation to reports of chemical attacks which killed 75 men, women and children.
Russian ambassador Anatoly Antonov said on Twitter: "A pre-designed scenario is being implemented. Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences.
“Insulting the President of Russia is unacceptable and inadmissable. The US - the possessor of the biggest arsenal of chemical weapons - has no moral right to blame other countries.”
Theresa May has today defended her decision to launch the Syrian airstrikes - and insisted it sent a message to the world's tyrants that they cannot use chemical weapons.
Speaking in 10 Downing Street this morning, the Prime Minister said: “This was not about interfering in a civil war and it was not about regime change.
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“It was a limited, targeted and effected strike with clear boundaries that fought to avoid escalation and did everything possible to avoid civilian casualties.
“This collective action sends a clear message that the international community will not stand by and tolerate the use of chemical weapons.
“We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalised - either in Syria, on the streets of the UK, or elsewhere.
“The lesson of history is when the global rules and standards that keep us safe come under attack, we must continue to defend them.”
During a press conference, Mrs May defended her decision to launch strikes without holding a vote in the Commons - but revealed she will make a statement in Parliament on Monday to allow MPs to question her.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin branded the US-led effort in Syria an "act of aggression" that will exacerbate humanitarian catastrophe.
In a statement issued by the Kremlin, the Russian leader says Moscow is calling an emergency meeting of the United Nations' Security Council over the strike launched by the US, Britain and France.
Putin added that the strike had a "destructive influence on the entire system of international relations."
He reaffirmed Russia's view that a purported chemical attack in the Syrian town of Douma that prompted the strike was a fake. Putin added that Russian military experts who inspected Douma found no trace of the attack.
He criticised the US and its allies for launching the strike without waiting for inspectors from the international chemical weapons watchdog to visit the area.
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Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also branded the attacks "crimes" and Britain, the US and France "criminals".
He told Iranian television: "US allies will not gain any achievements from crimes in Syria.
"Attacking Syria is a crime. US President, UK Prime Minister and the president of France are criminals."
Iran is one of Assad's closest allies.
But US President Donald Trump has sent a stern message to both Iran and Russia amid fears the rising tensions could lead to World War Three.
Trump said: "What kind of a nation wants to be associated with the mass murder of innocent men, women and children.
"No nation can succeed by promoting rogue states and dictators."
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US Defense Secretary James Mattis says the U.S. has no reports of suffering any losses during the initial airstrikes on Syria.
He said: "Right now this is a one-time shot" but is not ruling out further attacks."
He added: "Russia must decide whether to continue on this dark path or come back to civilisation."
Four Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s launched Storm Shadow missiles at a military facility – a former missile base – 15 miles west of Homs, where it is believed chemical weapons were stored.
Russia’s foreign ministry said the strikes came as the country had “a chance of a peaceful future.”
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Facebook: “Those behind all this claim moral leadership in the world and declare they are exceptional.
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Trump announces US airstrikes on Syria with support from UK and France military forces
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President Donald Trump APPROVES US airstrikes on Syria are 'imminent' and UK bombers will help
"You need to be really exceptional to shell Syria’s capital at the moment when it had gained a chance of a peaceful future.”
Huge blasts were reported around Damascus early on Saturday, moments after the US, France, and Britain announced they were striking Syria’s chemical weapons capabilities.
The joint operation came a week after a suspected chemical attack outside Damascus left 75 people dead.
Zakharova suggested that Western media should shoulder some responsibility for the strikes, claiming the White House cited “multiple media sources” on the suspected chemical weapons attack in Douma.
“American and other Western media must understand their responsibility for what happened,” Zakharova wrote.
The official Twitter account of the Syrian presidency today posted footage of Assad arriving for work "as normal".
It said: "Morning of steadfastness."
The Syrian Presidency official Twitter account has posted a video which appears to who Assad arriving for work just hours after the US launched its airstrike
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Prime Minister Theresa May announces that the UK will join the targeted military actions towards Syria's chemical capability
Theresa May confirmed she had authorised British forces to conduct "co-ordinated and targeted strikes" saying there was "no alternative".
US Defense Secretary James Mattis would not rule out further action.
Speaking from the Pentagon he told the media: "What you've seen tonight is not the end of the US response.
"They have built a lot of flexibility into the plan to allow for further strikes based on what they've hit tonight."
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