Donald Trump orders 'precision strikes' on Syria over chemical attack - read his statement in full

'The nations of the world can be judged by the friends they keep. No state can succeed in the long run by promoting rogue states, brutal tyrants and murderous dictator'

Donald Trump said the air strikes launched in coalition with Britain and France were to punish the  Syrian regime for the chemical attack which killed more than 70 people. 

In the televised address, the US president said the allies would continue their response until Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, ceased its use of chemical weapons. 

Here is his statement in full: 

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My fellow Americans, a short time ago I ordered the United States armed forces to launch precision strikes on targets associated with the chemical weapon capabilities of Syrian dictator of Bashar al-Assad.

"A combined operation with the armed forces of France and the United Kingdom is now underway. We thank them both. Tonight I want to speak with you about why we have taken this action.

"One year ago, Assad launched a savage chemical weapons attack against his own innocent people. The United States responded with 58 missile strikes that destroyed 20% of the Syrian airforce. 

"Last Saturday the Assad regime again deployed chemical weapons to slaughter innocent civilians, this time in the town of Douma near the Syrian capital of Damascus. This massacre was a significant escalation in a pattern of chemical weapons use by that very terrible regime. The evil and despicable attack left mothers and fathers, infants and children thrashing in pain and gasping for air. These are not the actions of a man, they are crimes of a monster instead. 

"Following the horrors of World War One a century ago, civilised weapons joined together to ban chemical warfare. Chemical weapons are uniquely dangerous not only because they inflict gruesome suffering but because even small amounts can unleash widespread devastation.

"The purpose of our actions tonight is to establish a strong deterrent against the production, spread and use of chemical weapons. Establishing this deterrent is a vital national security interest of the United States. The combined American, British and French response to these atrocities will integrate all instruments of our national power: military, economic and diplomatic.

"We are prepared to sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents. I also have a message tonight for the two governments most responsible for supporting, equipping and financing the regime. To Iran and to Russia I ask - what kind of regime wants to be associated with the mass murder of innocent men, women and children?

"The nations of the world can be judged by the friends they keep. No state can succeed in the long run by promoting rogue states, brutal tyrants and murderous dictators. In 2013 President Putin and his government promised the world that they would guarantee the elimination of Syria's chemical weapons. Assad's recent attack and today's response are the direct result of Russia's failure to keep that promise. Russia must decide if it will continue down this dark path or if it will join with civilised nations as a force for stability and peace.Hopefully some day we'll get along with Russia and maybe even with Iran. But maybe not.

"I will say this, the United States has a lot to offer. With the greatest and most powerful economy in the history of the world, in Syria the United States, with but a small force being used to eliminate Isis, is doing what is necessary to protect the American people. Over the last year nearly 100 per cent of the territory once controlled by the so-called Isis caliphate in Syria and Iraq has been liberated and eliminated.

"The United States has also rebuilt our friendships across the Middle East, we have asked our partners to take greater responsibility for securing their home region including contributing large amounts of money for the resources, equipment and all of the anti-Isis effort. Increased engagement from our friends including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt and others can ensure that Iran cannot profit from the eradication of Isis.

"America does not seek an indefinite presence in Syria, under no circumstances. As other nations step up their contributions we look forward to the day when we can bring our warriors home, and great warriors they are. Looking around our troubled world, Americans have no illusions. 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. It's a troubled place. We can try to make it better but it is a troubled place. The United States will be a partner and a friend, but the fate of the region lies in the hands of its own people.

"In the last century we looked into the darkest places of the human soul. We saw the anguish that can be unleashed and the evil that can take hold. By the end of World War One more than one million people had been killed or injured by chemical weapons. We never want to see that ghastly spectre return.

"So today the nations of Britain, France and the United States of America have marshalled their righteous power against barbarism and brutality. Tonight I ask all Americans to say a prayer for our noble warriors and our allies as they carry out their missions, We pray that God will bring comfort to those suffering in Syria, we pray that God will guide the whole region toward a future of dignity and of peace and we pray that God continue to watch over and will bless the United States of America. Thank you and good night."