Syria bombings: Where the US-led overnight air strikes hit
What facilities were targeted by coalition attack on Assad regime?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Air strikes by a US-led coalition including Britain and France have taken place against a number of targets in Syria.
US defence secretary James Mattis said strikes had been directed against the Syrian regime and those planning the attack had gone to “great lengths” to avoid civilian casualties.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Corps General Joe Dunford, said the allies had targeted three facilities in Syria in the operation:
Scientific research centre in the Damascus area
Missiles targeted what General Mattis said was a military facility on the outskirts of the Syrian capital.
Allies believe the government installation was a centre for the research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological agents.
US Joint Staff director, Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie, said the strikes completely destroyed the base and have "set the Syrian chemical weapons programme back three years".
Chemical weapons storage facility near Homs
Missiles also struck what is thought to be a chemical weapons storage facility around 15 miles outside of the city Homs, in the west of the country.
The Ministry of Defence says four Tornado jets from the RAF’s Akrotiri base in Cyprus carrying Storm Shadow missiles were part of the attack.
“We assess this was the primary location of Syrian sarin and precursor production equipment,” Gen Dunford said.
Command post near Homs
A strike was carried out against what the US described as an “important command post” for the Syrian armed forces.
Gen Dunford added that allied forces believed the government base also contained another chemical weapons storage facility.
Some seven cruise missiles were used against the command post, which is thought to have been completely destroyed in the strike.
Participants
The United States, Britain and France took part in the attack, launching more than 100 cruise missiles using air and naval forces.
French defence ministry officials said its military personnel had fired 12 missiles during the assault.
It added there was no indication any of the missiles had been intercepted, despite Russian claims to the contrary.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments