April 2018 missile strikes against Syria

2018 bombing of Damascus and Homs
Part of the American-led intervention in Syria US attacks against the Syrian government and the foreign involvement in the Syrian Civil War
A map of the attack sites according to the US Department of Defense
Location	Syria
Planned by	United States France United Kingdom
Commanded by	Donald Trump (President) Emmanuel Macron (President) Theresa May (Prime Minister)
Date	14 April 2018 (2018-04-14)
Executed by	United States Air Force United States Navy Royal Air Force French Air Force French Navy
Casualties	3 civilians wounded

On 14 April 2018, beginning at 04:00 Syrian time (UTC+3), the United States, France, and the United Kingdom carried out a series of military strikes, involving manned aircraft and ship-based missiles, against multiple government sites in Syria. The three acting powers did so in response to the use of chemical weapons against people in Douma in eastern Ghouta on 7 April, which they attributed to the Syrian government. Syria denied involvement in the Douma attacks and called the airstrikes a violation of international law.

Background

See also: Douma chemical attack and Khan Shaykhun chemical attack

On 7 April 2018, a suspected chemical attack was carried out in the Syrian city of Douma, with at least 70 people reported as killed. Several medical, monitoring, and activist groups—including the White Helmets—reported that Syrian Army helicopters dropped barrel bombs. The bombs were suspected to be filled with chemical munitions such as chlorine gas and sarin.

As with previous incidents, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other nations accused the Assad regime of being responsible for the use of chemical weapons. Russia and Iran, the Syrian government's main allies, denied that chemical weapons had been used, claiming that it was a false flag attack. Russia has alleged that video of the chemical attack was staged by members of the White Helmets organization.

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

In the early hours of 9 April 2018, an airstrike was conducted against Tiyas Military Airbase in Syria. The United States denied launching the airstrike, and an Israeli spokeswoman declined to comment.

On 10 April, an emergency UN Security Council meeting was held, where competing solutions on how to handle the response to the alleged chemical attack were presented and ultimately vetoed. By 11 April, each of the western nations began to consider military action in Syria seeking a "strong joint response."

On 11 April, the Syrian government said it had invited the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to investigate the sites of the alleged 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,” state news agency SANA said, quoting an official source in the Foreign Ministry.

On 13 April, after initially denying that chemical weapons were used, Russia alleged that Britain "staged" the attack in order to provoke U.S. airstrikes.

Military action

Legality

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. Russia's use of its veto meant there was no prospect of the Security Council authorising such action. Therefore, the legality of 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. A group of international law experts had previously said that strikes would be illegal without UN Security Council approval. Condemning the violence against civilians and acknowledging the urge to protect them, they stated that responding "to unlawful violence with more unlawful violence, bypassing existing legal mechanisms, is a road to a lawless world. It is a road that leads to Hell.” They also pointed to US support for the insurgents against the Syrian government throughout the conflict which is also illegal under international law.

The United Kingdom published its legal position regarding the strikes.

Forces involved

U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford briefing reporters on the attack

The strikes were carried out by the forces of the United States, the United Kingdom and France. The strikes were delivered by ship-based cruise missiles as well as by aircraft. Four British Tornado GR4s fired a total of eight Storm Shadow missiles. The French Aquitaine-class frigate Languedoc (D653) fired three Missile de Croisière Naval land attack missiles, and the French Air Force sent five Rafale jets, each carrying two SCALP EG missiles, five Mirage 2000-5F fighters, two E-3 airborne early warning and control planes and six C-135FR tankers. The US forces included B-1 bombers from the [[[34th Bomb Squadron]] firing 19 JASSM-ER missiles. Seven Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Laboon (DDG-58) and thirty from the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Monterey (CG-61) from a position in the Red Sea. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Higgins (DDG-76) fired 23 Tomahawks from a position in the Northern part of the Persian Gulf, while the Virginia-class submarine USS John Warner (SSN-785) launched six Tomahawk from the Mediterranean. U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said that twice as many weapons were used in the initial strike as in the 2017 Shayrat missile strike; an anonymous US Defense Department official quoted by The Washington Post said that about 100 Tomahawk missiles were fired by the US.

In total allied forces fired 105 cruise missiles:

• 66 Tomahawk from US Navy ships
• 19 JASSM-ER from US Air Force B-1 bombers
• 9 SCALP from French Air Force Rafale fighters
• 8 Storm Shadow from Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 fighters
• 3 MdCN from French Navy ships

Syria responded using its air defense systems, and its state media aired a video of missiles being fired into the sky. Syrian state news agency SANA, as well as Colonel-General Sergei Rudskoi of the Russian military, claimed that the Syrian air defense systems Pantsir-S1, S-125, S-200, Buk, and Kvadrat intercepted and destroyed many missiles.

Strikes

President Trump delivers his announcement at 21:00 EST.

President Trump announced the strikes at 9PM 13 April ET (4AM 14 April in Syria) along with allies France and the United Kingdom. Explosions were heard in Damascus, the capital of Syria, just as Trump was speaking.

Explosions near Dummar, Syria

U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford said three sites were targeted: a research center in Damascus, a chemical weapons storage facility near Homs, and an equipment storage facility and command post also near Homs. The UK Ministry of Defence reported that British aircraft struck chemical weapons sites in Homs. 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 scientific research establishment. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that attack sites included two scientific research centers in Damascus and another in the Homs area, as well as military bases in Damascus.

While the US army stated all missiles hit their intended targets without interference, Syrian state media said that Syria responded to the attacks by firing anti-aircraft weapons, and that its air defenses shot down 13 incoming missiles near Al-Kiswa, south of Damascus. According to Lt Gen Kenneth McKenzie the Syrian air defences fired 40 interceptor missiles but failed to hit any of the targets, while the Syrian army stated it "intercepted most of the missiles". The Russian military reported that Syria's air defenses shot down 71 out of 103 cruise missiles. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights accounted for more than 65 missiles intercepted by the Syrian government and their allies. Missiles launched at a scientific research center in Homs "fell away from their target". No casualties were reported by the organization, but there was considerable material damage. Syrian state-run TV news reported three civilians injured at Homs, though they also claimed that the missile strike there was "aborted".

Hours after the strikes, hundreds of Syrians in Damascus were seen protesting, denouncing the attack. Demonstrators were seen waving Iranian, Syrian and Russian flags while also shouting slogans of allegiance to President al-Assad.

Statements and reactions

Belligerent nations

• Syria: Syrian state media called the attack a "flagrant violation of international law". Nasr al-Hariri, the Syrian opposition leader who leads the opposition committee in the ongoing U.N. negotiations, said that the attack might discourage the Syrian government from using chemical weapons, but could also prompt "revengeful escalations" by the government forces against Syrians, and warned that the international community need to find a "political solution" to save Syria.
• France: President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement on 14 April that France's "red line has been crossed", in reference to the previous attacks on Douma. He said that the Syrian government "no doubt" carried out the attack, and described the strikes as aimed at stopping Syria's chemical weapon production.
• United Kingdom: While announcing the strikes, Prime Minister Theresa May stated that there was "no practicable alternative to the use of force" to deal with the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons.
• United States: President Donald Trump announced the strikes in a televised address, arguing that they were part of the effort to stop Assad from using chemical weapons, and said that the US was "prepared to sustain this response" until this was achieved. Dana W. White, The Pentagon Chief Spokeperson, stated that "this operation does not represent a change in US policy or an attempt to depose the Syrian regime". The New York Times reported that 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. Republicans Tom Cotton and Orrin Hatch praised the strikes. Other 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". 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".

Other nations

• Argentina: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship released a statement in which it condemned the use of chemical weapons, and called the international community to "make efforts to preserve peace and security, avoiding actions that generate an escalation of tension".
• Australia: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull supported the strikes, calling them an "unequivocal message" to Assad. Turnbull also noted that "Russia and Syria's other main supporter, Iran, must place pressure on the regime to end its abuse of international law and human rights." Turnbull commented that the intervention demonstrated a "calibrated, proportionate and targeted response".
• Belarus: The Belarusian foreign ministry condemns the strikes launched on Syria stating that “The situation in Syria is actually turning into an interstate armed conflict, which risks leading to further uncontrolled escalation that might go beyond the region. The use of prohibited weapons of mass destruction should not be left without consequences. However, the response should be based on unequivocal and verified facts and made in strict compliance with international law. None of these criteria were observed by those who have attacked Syria today. We believe that all members of the UN Security Council need to make every effort to fulfill the task assigned to them by the international community to restore and maintain international peace and security.”
• Bolivia: President Evo Morales strongly condemned the strikes, in a statement where called them an "unhinged attack on the brother people of syria."
• Bulgaria: Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva backed the air strikes, while calling for a de-escalation of tension.
• Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau supported the strikes in a statement.
• China: The PRC government was concerned about the airstrikes. Foreign Affairs minister Hua Chunying said: “Any unilateral military action violates the United Nations charter and its principles and international law and its principles. [The strikes] are also going to add more factors to complicate the resolution of the Syrian crisis."
• Croatia: The Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed their support of their partners and allies in preventing further chemical weapons usage in Syria.
• Cuba: The Cuban government denounced the attacks and stated that "the Cuban Revolutionary Government conveys its solidarity and sympathy with the people and government of Syria for the loss of lives and material damage as a consequence of this heinous attack."
• Czech Republic: The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that "the Czech Republic understands the US and allies' military action as a clear message to anyone, who would want to carry on with the chemical attacks in Syria." The Ministry also pointed out that "the UN Security Council has not been able to take effective measures to resolve the situation" and condemned the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government. Minister of Foreign Affairs Martin Stropnický in a press briefing warned against incoming Russian propaganda and fake news.
• Denmark: Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated that there was full support for the strikes by Denmark's allies, explaining that "in war there are rules, and they have been blatantly broken by Assad in Douma".
• Estonia:The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the strike was an appropriate response to Syria's repeated use of chemical weapons.
• Germany: Chancellor Angela Merkel declared support for the strikes, calling them a "necessary and appropriate" measure.
• Iran: The Iran Foreign Ministry condemned the missile strikes, said that 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. Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, called Trump, May and Macron "criminals" and warns that "they will gain nothing" from the strike.
• Iraq: The Iraqi foreign ministry said that the strikes "a very dangerous development" and could give terrorism an opportunity to expand in the region.
• Israel: Cabinet Minister Yoav Gallant declared the American led attack "an important signal to the Axis of Evil – Iran, Syria and Hezbollah" and labels Assad "the Angel of Death to hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians, and there's no doubt the world will be a better place without Assad".
• Italy: Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni supported the strikes, however the outgoing government has denied the use of Italian air bases for direct attack missions in Syria. Also the Prime Minister stressed that they can not be the beginning of an escalation. The Prime Minister also added: "This is in fact the concept that Italy has been reiterating for days. One century after the end of the World War I, we can not resign ourselves to the idea that chemical weapons will return to be used in conflicts. The humanitarian consequences of these atrocious weapons are not worthy of our civilization. We have seen them in these days and we cannot longer tolerate them."
• Japan: Prime Minister Shinzō Abe told reporters that he supports the "resolve" of the strikes.
• New Zealand: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern supports a diplomatic approach and accepted the strikes as a result of Russia's veto powers at the Security Council. In a statement, she indicates that New Zealand "absolutely condemn and will continue to condemn" Russia's use of the veto.
• Romania: President Klaus Iohannis announced that Romania supports the actions of US–United Kingdom–France alliance. Iohannis wrote in a post on Twitter: "Romania reiterates its condemnation of the use of chemical weapons in Syria, which is beyond any justification. We stand in solidarity with the actions of our strategic partners."
• Russia: President Vladimir Putin described the strikes as an "act of aggression", saying that "Russian servicemen are helping the legitimate government in its fight with terrorism". Russia also called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the United States, strongly condemned the coalition attacks on Syria and warned the western countries of "consequences". Sergei Rudskoi, the Russian Colonel-General, in a TV briefing, said that Russia may consider sending S-300 surface-to-air missile systems not only to Syria but to other countries as well.
• Sweden: Margot Wallström, Foreign Minister of Sweden, said that one crime against international law can not be solved by committing another, refering to the suspected chemical weapons attack and the bombings of Damascus respectively. She also said it was regrettable that the United Nations Security Council had hugely failed in its attempts to solve the conflict.
• Turkey: Sources within the Turkish Foreign Ministry reported to Reuters that "We see the operation carried out against the Syrian government by the United States, the United Kingdom and France... as an appropriate response." Turkish Deputy PM Bekir Bozdağ said that Turkey was informed before the US-led airstrikes; he also added that Incirlik Air Base was not used during the attack. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed the strike, saying that "the Syrian regime received the message that its massacres wouldn’t be left unanswered." President Erdogan further explained that “the innocent Syrian people should have been defended long ago.”
• Ukraine: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement in which it supported the attack and expressed its solidarity with the United States, Great Britain and France while condemning the "crimes of Damascus by the Kremlin regime".

Partially recognized states

• Kosovo: The Kosovan Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj was among the first to show support the U.S. decision on Twitter to launch the air strikes, saying that his country “stands strongly with the US and our Euro-Atlantic allies” while President Hashim Thaci also backed the strikes against the “inhuman regime” of Bashar al-Assad”.

Supranational organizations

• European Union: President of the European Council Donald Tusk confirmed the European Union's support for the strikes, stating that the EU "will stand with our allies on the side of justice".
• NATO: Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg supported the strikes in a statement.
• United Nations: Secretary-General António Guterres called for restraint from all states, urging parties to "avoid any acts that could escalate the situation and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people."
• CSTO: The permanent council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) condemned the strikes. According to the CSTO, the strikes were carried out while violating norms of international law, and the UN Charter.