2017 Shayrat missile strike: Difference between revisions
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==Reactions== |
==Reactions== |
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===International=== |
===International=== |
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The attack was praised as a just response and strong message against the use of chemical weapons by the governments of [[Australia]],<ref name="sbsworldnews-1">{{cite web|author1=''SBS News'' staff|title='Australian government strongly supports' Syria strike: Turnbull|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/04/07/australian-government-strongly-supports-syria-strike-turnbull|website=[[SBS World News]]|publisher=[[Special Broadcasting Service]]|accessdate=7 April 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407044414/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/04/07/australian-government-strongly-supports-syria-strike-turnbull|archivedate=7 April 2017|date=7 April 2017}}</ref> [[Israel]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-praises-message-of-resolve-in-us-strike-on-syria/|title=Netanyahu praises ‘message of resolve’ in US strike on Syria|publisher=Times of Israel|date=2017-04-07|accessdate=2017-04-07}}</ref> [[Saudi Arabia]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Saudi-Arabia-says-fully-supports-US-military-strikes-in-Syria-486404|title=SAUDI ARABIA SAYS FULLY SUPPORTS US MILITARY STRIKES|publisher=Jerusalem Post|date=2017-04-07|accessdate=2017-04-07}}</ref> |
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* {{flagicon|Iran}} '''[[Iran]]''': Bahram Qasemi, the spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said, "Iran strongly condemns any such unilateral strikes…Such measures will strengthen terrorists in Syria…and will complicate the situation in Syria and the region."<ref name="Reuters">{{cite web|last1=Packham|first1=Colin|title=Iran condemns air strike in Syria; Britain, Australia give support|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-reaction-idUSKBN1790M4|website=Reuters|accessdate=7 April 2017|location=Sydney|date=7 April 2017}}</ref> |
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It was condemned as a deadly act of aggression and complication of the war by the governments of [[Iran}]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Iran condemns U.S. strike against Syrian airbase|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2017/04/07/iran-condemns-us-strike-against-syrian-airbase--isna/|website=The Star|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=7 April 2017|location=Ankara|date=7 April 2017}}</ref> and [[Syria]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/187512/us-aggression-causes-losses-syrian-state-media|title=US 'aggression' causes losses: Syrian state media - World Bulletin|work=World Bulletin|access-date=2017-04-07}}</ref> |
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* {{flagicon|Israel}} '''[[Israel]]''': Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] praised the action by the United States: "In both word and action, President Trump sent a strong and clear message today that the use and spread of chemical weapons will not be tolerated. Israel fully supports President Trump's decision and hopes that this message of resolve in the face of the Assad regime's horrific actions will resonate not only in Damascus, but in Tehran, Pyongyang and elsewhere."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-praises-message-of-resolve-in-us-strike-on-syria/|title=Netanyahu praises ‘message of resolve’ in US strike on Syria|publisher=Times of Israel|date=2017-04-07|accessdate=2017-04-07}}</ref> |
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* {{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} '''[[Saudi Arabia]]''': Saudi Arabia said on 7 April it "fully supports" US strikes on military targets in Syria, saying it was a "courageous decision" by President Donald Trump in response to the use of chemical weapons against civilians.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Saudi-Arabia-says-fully-supports-US-military-strikes-in-Syria-486404|title=SAUDI ARABIA SAYS FULLY SUPPORTS US MILITARY STRIKES|publisher=Jerusalem Post|date=2017-04-07|accessdate=2017-04-07}}</ref> |
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* {{flagicon|Syria}} '''[[Syria]]''': Syrian state media condemned the attacks, calling it an "act of aggression." It also claimed that there were an unspecified amount of casualties from the airstrike.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/187512/us-aggression-causes-losses-syrian-state-media|title=US 'aggression' causes losses: Syrian state media – World Bulletin|work=World Bulletin|access-date=2017-04-07}}</ref> |
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* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} '''[[United Kingdom]]''': A government spokesman said, "The UK government fully supports the U.S. action which we believe was an appropriate response to the barbaric chemical weapons attack launched by the Syrian regime and is intended to deter further attacks."<ref name="Reuters"/> |
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===United States=== |
===United States=== |
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Revision as of 06:17, 7 April 2017
 | This article documents a recent military operation. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (April 2017) |
| 2017 Shayrat strike | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Syrian Civil War and the American-led intervention in Syria | |
 | |
| Type | Tomahawk missile strike |
| Location | 34°30′02″N 36°53′57″E / 34.50056°N 36.89917°E |
| Target |  Syrian Arab Air Force |
| Date | 7 April 2017 04:40 EEST (UTC+03:00) |
| Executed by |  United States |
| Casualties | 4 claimed so far |
  Shayrat Air Base Location of Shayrat in Syria | |
The United States launched 59 Tactical Tomahawk missiles into Syria, hitting Shayrat Air Base during the morning of 7 April 2017 during the ongoing Syrian Civil War.[2][3][4] It was reported the strikes were ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump as a direct response to the Khan Shaykhun chemical attack on 4 April 2017.[3][5] It was the first intentional attack by the United States military on the Ba'athist Syrian government forces during the war.[5][6]
Attack
The strike targeted Shayrat Air Base in Homs Governorate, which was believed to be the base for the aircraft that carried out the chemical attack,[5] and was intended to destroy air defenses, aircraft, hangars and fuel.[1][5] The New York Times, citing a U.S. military source, said that 59 missiles had been launched from two U.S. Navy warships, USS Ross and USS Porter, at around 20:40 EDT (04:40 local time).[1][5] The United States notified a number of countries, such as Australia and Russia, hours in advance of the strike.[7][8][9] There were thought to be Russians at the airbase that was targeted.[3] A Syrian opposition monitor claims that the airstrike killed four soldiers, including an officer. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims that the airstrike damaged over a dozen hangars, a fuel depot, and an air defense base.[10][11]
Aftermath
The price of oil jumped more than 2% following the airstrikes.[12]
Reactions
International
The attack was praised as a just response and strong message against the use of chemical weapons by the governments of Australia,[13] Israel,[14] Saudi Arabia[15]
It was condemned as a deadly act of aggression and complication of the war by the governments of [[Iran}]][16] and Syria.[17]
United States
Reactions from members of Congress were mixed. Paul Ryan (R–WI), the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, said the strike was "appropriate and just." House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D–CA) said, "Tonight's strike in Syria appears to be a proportional response to the regime's use of chemical weapons." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D–NY) said, "Making sure Assad knows that when he commits such despicable atrocities he will pay a price is the right thing to do." Senators John McCain (R–AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R–SC) said, "Unlike the previous administration, President Trump confronted a pivotal moment in Syria and took action. For that, he deserves the support of the American people." Senator Marco Rubio (R–FL) called it an "important decisive step." Other lawmakers took to criticizing the President's actions. Senator Rand Paul (R–KY) tweeted, "While we all condemn the atrocities in Syria, the United States was not attacked." Representative Ted Lieu (D–CA) tweeted, "This was done with no debate in Congress and no explanation to the American people." Representative Seth Moulton (D–MA) tweeted, "So [President Trump] cares enough about the Syrian people to launch 50 Tomahawks but not enough to let the victims of Assad find refuge and freedom here." Senator Chris Coons (D–DE) said he was "gravely concerned that the United States is engaging further militarily in Syria without a well-thought-out, comprehensive plan." Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D–HI) said, "This escalation is short-sighted and will lead to more dead civilians, more refugees, the strengthening of al-Qaeda and other terrorists, and a possible nuclear war between the United States and Russia."[18][19]
Non-state actors
Syrian opposition: Najib Ghadbian, a representative of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, "welcomed" the attacks against Syrian government forces by the U.S. He stated that "They are first good steps but we would like them to be part of a bigger strategy that would put an end to the mass killing, an end to impunity and eventually we hope that they will lead to a kind of a political transition [in Syria]."[20]
See also
- September 2016 Deir ez-Zor air raid – An accidental strike by coalition forces on the Syrian Army
- March 2017 Israel-Syria incident – Closely preceding airstrikes by Israel in Syria, targeting Hezbollah arms convoys
References
- ^ a b c Gordon, Michael R.; Cooper, Helene; Shear, Michael D. (6 April 2017). "Dozens of U.S. Missiles Hit Air Base in Syria". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ "Statement from Pentagon Spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis on U.S. strike in S". U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ a b c Starr, Barbara; Diamond, Jeremy (6 April 2017). "Trump launches military strike against Syria". CNN. Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ BBC News staff (7 April 2017). "Syria war: US launches missile strikes following chemical 'attack'". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Lamothe, Dan; Ryan, Missy; Gibbons-Neff, Thomas (6 April 2017). "U.S. strikes Syrian military airfield in first direct assault on Bashar al-Assad's government". The Washington Post. Nash Holdings LLC. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ ABC News staff (7 April 2017). "US warships launch cruise missile strike against Syrian airfield in retaliation for chemical attack". ABC News Australia. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ Tingle, Laura (7 April 2017). "Australia briefed beforehand on US strike". The Australian Financial Review. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ "Al Jazeera and news agencies" (7 April 2017). "US launches cruise missiles at Syrian air base". Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera Media Network. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ AFP (7 April 2017). "UN divided over Syria gas attack probe as US launches missile strike". The Economic Times. The Times Group. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ "The Latest: Group says at least 4 killed in US Syria attack". idahostatesman. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ Editorial, Reuters. "Syrian monitor says airbase almost destroyed in strike". Reuters UK. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
{{cite news}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ Sile, Aza Wee; Ming, Cheang (7 April 2017). "Oil jumps, dollar slightly weaker as US fires dozens of missiles at targets in Syria". CNBC. NBCUniversal News Group. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ SBS News staff (7 April 2017). "'Australian government strongly supports' Syria strike: Turnbull". SBS World News. Special Broadcasting Service. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ "Netanyahu praises 'message of resolve' in US strike on Syria". Times of Israel. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ "SAUDI ARABIA SAYS FULLY SUPPORTS US MILITARY STRIKES". Jerusalem Post. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ "Iran condemns U.S. strike against Syrian airbase". The Star. Ankara: Reuters. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ "US 'aggression' causes losses: Syrian state media - World Bulletin". World Bulletin. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ Fowler, Tara (6 April 2017). "Strike on Syria gets mixed reaction from lawmakers". ABC News. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
- ^ Vavra, Shannon; Savitsky, Shane (7 April 2017). "Reactions to U.S. strikes in Syria". Axios. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ "Syrian National Coalition hails US strike on Homs base". Al-Jazeera. 7 April 2017.
