US fires dozens of Tomahawk missiles into Syria

The US has just launched 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Syrian government targets.

The above information was just published by Reuters news agency, citing an anonymous US official. This is considered a US response to the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The Assad regime is being blamed for a chemical attack on April 4 that killed dozens of people.

Tomahawk missiles are fired from warships. Illustration photo

Tomahawk missiles were fired from US warships in the Mediterranean Sea. The targets of the US ballistic missiles included an air base in the central city of Homs.

It was the first direct US attack on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces since the civil war began six years ago. It marked a major escalation of US military action and risks sparking direct confrontation with Russia and Iran.

Earlier, on April 6, an anonymous US official said the Pentagon was presenting to the White House a number of military options that Washington could apply to respond to the chemical attack in Syria, including conducting airstrikes to neutralize the Syrian air force.

On April 4, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) confirmed that warplanes attacked the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province. The attack left many people dead due to smoke inhalation.

Many people suffered breathing problems, lost consciousness, vomited and foamed at the mouth, according to SOHR. The organization confirmed that the majority of those killed were civilians. Idlib is largely controlled by a rebel alliance, including the Fateh al-Sham Front, a former al-Qaeda affiliate.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on April 5 that the attack appeared to involve chemical weapons.

“The lack of obvious external injuries in victims suggests that the rapid onset of similar symptoms, including exhaustion due to acute respiratory distress, was the main cause of death,” WHO said.

According to WHO, “some cases also appear to have been contaminated with organophosphorus pesticides – a class of chemicals that contain neurotoxic substances.”

On April 4, the Syrian National Opposition Coalition requested the United Nations to investigate the attack. The coalition called on the Security Council to convene an emergency session and immediately investigate and take necessary measures to ensure that those behind the incident are held accountable.

On the same day, RIA news agency quoted a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry confirming that its warplanes did not conduct airstrikes in Idlib. “Russian military aircraft did not carry out any airstrikes near the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province,” the statement from the Russian Defense Ministry stated.

The Syrian army also denied any involvement. "The Syrian army denies using chemicals or poisons in Khan Sheikhoun on April 4. The government army emphasizes that it has never used toxic chemicals at any time, any place and will never do so in the future."

The Syrian army commander also blamed the rebels. The Syrian army statement stressed: "Terrorist groups and those behind them must be held accountable for the use of toxic and chemical substances, as well as their indifference to the lives of innocent people."

However, a series of countries including the US, France, and UK immediately directed public attention to the Syrian Government, when they accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of being responsible for this chemical attack.

US President Donald Trump on April 5 described the attack as "horrific" and called it a "terrible disgrace to humanity". During a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah in the Oval Office, when asked if he was formulating a new policy on Syria, President Trump said: "You'll see."

According to Vietnamnet.vn