Donald Trump authorized missile strikes against Syria on Thursday night in response to the chemical attack by Bashar al-Assad that killed dozens of civilians this week.
Some 50 Tomahawk missiles were launched from U.S. Navy warships in the Mediterranean Sea, striking multiple targets – including the airstrip, aircraft and fuel stations – on an airbase in Homs, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Further details and damage estimates from the strikes, which were conducted at 8:45 p.m. EDT (0045 GMT Friday), were not immediately known.
Russia was reportedly told about the military strike beforehand, according to media reports.
Said Trump in a statement from Mar-a-Lago (above):
My fellow Americans, on Tuesday, Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad launched a horrible chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians using a deadly nerve agent Assad choked out the lives of helpless men, women and children.
It was a slow and brutal death for so many even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack. No child of God should ever suffer such horror.
Tonight I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched.
It is in this vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons.
There can be no dispute that Syria used banned chemical weapons, violated its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and ignored the urging of the UN Security Council.
Years of previous attempts at changing Assad's behavior have all failed and failed very dramatically.
As a result the refugee crisis continues to deepen and the region continues to destabilize, threatening the United States and its allies.
Tonight I call on all civilized nations to join us in seeking to end the slaughter and bloodshed in Syria and also to end terrorism of all kinds and all types.
We ask for God's wisdom as we face the challenge of our very troubled world. We pray for the lives of the wounded and the souls of those who have passed and we hope that as long as America stands for justice then peace and harmony will prevail.
Good night and God bless America and the entire world. Thank you.
