President Donald Trump ordered a strike on
Syria Friday in response to last weekend's chemical weapons attack.
Addressing the nation Friday evening, Trump said the strike was a joint operation with France and the United Kingdom.

"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,"Trump said.

Trump said that the "massacre" last weekend in Syria "was a significant escalation in a pattern of chemical weapons use by that very terrible regime."
"The evil and the despicable attack left mothers and fathers, infants and children thrashing in pain and gasping for air. These are not the actions of a man,"

Trump said, referring to Assad. "They are crimes of a monster instead."

In a later briefing, Defense Secretary James Mattis said the strike demonstrates the international resolve to prevent the use of chemical weapons, saying he is "confident the Syrian regime conducted a chemical attack on innocent people in the last week.""Clearly the Assad regime did not get the message last year," Mattis said, adding that this time the U.S. struck harder.
"We have gone to great lengths to avoid civilian and foreign casualties," he said. "... I believe that we sent a very strong message."

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford said the strike specifically hit three targets associated with the production and storage of chemical weapons: a scientific research center; a storage center for sarin and its precursor components; and a chemical weapons storage facility and command post.

"Important infrastructure was destroyed," said Dunford.

There were no reports of American losses, Mattis said.
Russia was not notified before launching airstrikes against Syria, Dunford said, adding no additional strikes are planned.
Social posts out of Syria showed flames lighting up the dark skies. Explosions could be heard as well.


Syrian state media confirmed the scientific research center in Barzeh, north of Damascus, was targeted in the attack, adding that a number of rockets targeting warehouses belonging to the Syrian army in Homs were allegedly intercepted.
State media said it was a "cowardly terrorist attack," only done for “America to save face.”Major concerns:

Who are the major players in the Syrian war?
What the US is doing in Syria?
Trump's national security team meets as US says it has proof Syria carried out chemical attack,
How Russia has hinted it could react to US strikes in Syria?

In his remarks, There were no reports of American losses, Mattis said.

Russia was not notified before launching airstrikes against Syria, Dunford said, adding no additional strikes are planned.
Social posts out of Syria showed flames lighting up the dark skies. Explosions could be heard as well.
Syrian state media confirmed the scientific research center in Barzeh, north of Damascus, was targeted in the attack, adding that a number of rockets targeting warehouses belonging to the Syrian army in Homs were allegedly intercepted.
State media said it was a "cowardly terrorist attack," only done for “America to save face.”

Trump added that the U.S. "does not seek an indefinite presence in Syria."
"We look forward to the day when we can bring our warriors home," he said. "... We cannot purge the world of evil or act everywhere there is tyranny. No amount of American blood or treasure can produce lasting peace and security in the Middle East.
"... We pray that God will bring comfort to those suffering in Syria," Trump concluded. "We pray that God will guide the whole region toward a future of dignity and of peace. And we pray that God will continue to watch over and bless the Unite
d States of America."


sources:abcnews

http://www.saintigblog.com.ng/2018/04/trump-orders-strike-on-syria-in.html?m=1