Syrian Airbase Struck By 59 US Tomahawk Missiles

The US launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles on Syrian government airfield late Thursday evening as retaliation to Tuesday’s deadly chemical attack by the Bashar al-Assad regime in a rebel-held area. 

The Pentagon released details on the strike, saying it was conducted using tomahawk missiles launched from the destroyers USS Porter and USS Ross in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. The missiles struck Al Shayrat airfield near Homs in Syria at around 3.45 am early Friday. 

"A total of 59 [Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles] targeted aircraft, hardened aircraft shelters, petroleum and logistical storage, ammunition supply bunkers, air defense systems, and radars," Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said in an official statement.

"On Tuesday, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad launched a horrible chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians. Using a deadly nerve agent, Assad choked out the lives of helpless men, women and children. It was a slow and brutal death for so many. Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack," US President Donald Trump said during a Thursday address.

Secretary Jeff said the Russians were notified in advance of the strikes and that precautions were taken to minimise casualties among Russian or Syrian personnel at the airbase.