President Trump announced air strikes against Syrian military targets on Friday evening, days after an alleged chemical attack by the Syrian government in the town of Douma, near Damascus. "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," Trump said in an address to the nation. According to the Pentagon, at least three sites have been hit — a science research facility, a storage facility, and a chemical storage depot. The strikes were carried out in cooperation with the United Kingdom and France, with Trump saying that the attack was a deterrent against the spread and use of chemical weapons in war. The president hinted at a more sustained military response against the Syrian government, stating: “We are prepared to sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents.” Defense Secretary James Mattis said that no additional attacks are planned at this time and future strikes will depend on whether Assad uses chemical weapons in the future. U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May supported the action, calling it "right and legal," while French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron said Syria's use of chemical weapons posed an "immediate danger." Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling the strikes an "act of aggression," said that he has called an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. • This story is developing.
