Trump orders strikes against Syria over chemical weapons attack

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Trump orders strikes against Syria over chemical weapons attack

 

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman departs with its strike group towards the Middle East from Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. April 11, 2018. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Danny Ray Nunez Jr./Handout via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday ordered precision strikes targeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's chemical weapons capabilities after a poison gas attack that killed at least 60 people last week.

 

Trump said a combined operation with France and Britain was under way and that they were prepared to sustain the response until Syria stopped its use of chemical weapons.

 

"A short time ago, I ordered the United States Armed Forces to launch precision strikes on targets associated with the chemical weapons capabilities of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad," Trump said in a televised address from the White House.

 

"These are not the actions of a man. They are crimes of a monster instead," Trump said referring to Assad and his role in the chemical weapons attacks.

 

As he spoke, explosions were heard in Damascus.

 

"The purpose of our actions tonight is to establish a strong deterrent against the production, spread and use of chemical weapons," Trump said.

 

(Writing by Yara Bayoumy; Editing by Sandra Maler)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-04-14

[HLover]

Always confused why the United States announces attacks ahead of time when other countries believe in the element of surprise and stealth.

 

Can anybody enlighten me?

[Somtamnication]

......and so it begins.

[HLover]

This stench smells of the middle eastern version of Vietnam.

[lannarebirth]

5 minutes ago, HLover said:

Always confused why the United States announces attacks ahead of time when other countries believe in the element of surprise and stealth.

 

Can anybody enlighten me?

 

In the United States process is always of more importance than substance.

[Xyzero]

If this is true we might be <deleted> now

[HLover]

5 minutes ago, Xyzero said:

If this is true we might be <deleted> now

Not really, just turn off your computer/tv/cell phone and enjoy life.

Oh, unless your a Russian or American soldier...then you are truly <deleted>

[sirmud63]

9 minutes ago, HLover said:

Always confused why the United States announces attacks ahead of time when other countries believe in the element of surprise and stealth.

 

Can anybody enlighten me?

less colaterol damage , they want to destroy the factories/air base with minimal loss of life . 

look at the last strike on an airbase . ,zero deaths , because they had fore warning .

[Jack Mountain]

Still Friday 13th in the US right? Bye East-coast. (hopefully)

[yougivemebaby]

20 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

As he spoke, explosions were heard in Damascus.

 

19 minutes ago, HLover said:

Always confused why the United States announces attacks ahead of time when other countries believe in the element of surprise and stealth.

 

Can anybody enlighten me?

What part of ‘explosions were heard in Damascus’ confuses you ? It was announced during the strikes. 

[Searat7]

15 minutes ago, HLover said:

Always confused why the United States announces attacks ahead of time when other countries believe in the element of surprise and stealth.

 

Can anybody enlighten me?

The strikes had already been made or were underway when Trump announced this action. No doubt this was a difficult decision but the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian dictator against his people (again) could not be ignored. The UK and France also participated. Shame on Russia for continuing to prop up this barbaric regime.

[hansnl]

25 minutes ago, HLover said:

This stench smells of the middle eastern version of Vietnam.

Maybe you should do some reading and them some thinking to maybe find out the mess in Syria has got something to do with Iran?

[vogie]

So what happened to the impregnable Russian defence systems, one of the most sophisticated systems in the world.

 

[BobBKK]

The Policeman of the World strikes!  madness  

[Expatthailover]

37 minutes ago, HLover said:

Always confused why the United States announces attacks ahead of time when other countries believe in the element of surprise and stealth.

 

Can anybody enlighten me?

Not all operations are announced eg when they went after bin laden.

Where civilians may be impacted I suppose they try to do the right thing  ( a situation very foreign to the current POTUS).

Overall I will believe this when it happens.

The CIC who prefers government by twittering over proper statesmanship seems to change his mind more often than an incontinent billionnaire changes his underwear.

Being militarily advised by someone who is almost as wacky and deranged as himself adds more uncertainty to the mix.

Being a professional and capable military person who has to stand by while those 2 renowned draft dodgers decide the fate of the world must be decidely challenging.

Cowards running the mightiest military machine in the world..ye gods

Edited April 14, 2018 by Expatthailover

[robblok]

Why is it the USA never waits for independent confirmation. AFIK there is still no confirmation from an other source that there were indeed chemical attacks. I used to trust the USA to be honest however they have shown to be liars (Irak anyone) so I would have liked it more if the independent organisation that was going to check it has verified the US findings. 

 

I still trust the USA more then Russia.. but I certainly wont trust them blindly. 

[sammieuk1]

Would be better news if they had dropped Boris on Moscow.

[CGW]

5 minutes ago, robblok said:

Why is it the USA never waits for independent confirmation. AFIK there is still no confirmation from an other source that there were indeed chemical attacks. I used to trust the USA to be honest however they have shown to be liars (Irak anyone) so I would have liked it more if the independent organisation that was going to check it has verified the US findings. 

 

I still trust the USA more then Russia.. but I certainly wont trust them blindly. 

Exactly! is this another "false flag" as there are no FACTS being given - yet again how do we know?

[TomTao]

There is a prophecy in the bible that says that Damascus will be reduced to an uninhabitable ruin fit for jacksls and ostriches only, it could be about to be fulfilled.

[yougivemebaby]

6 minutes ago, Expatthailover said:

Being militarily advised by someone who is almost as wacky and deranged as himself adds more uncertainty to the mix.

Are you referring to General Mad dog Mattis ? Or just blindly following the tabloid media (aka msm) that childishlycalls all of Trumps advisors names. 

[arithai12]

19 minutes ago, Searat7 said:

The strikes had already been made or were underway when Trump announced this action. No doubt this was a difficult decision but the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian dictator against his people (again) could not be ignored. The UK and France also participated. Shame on Russia for continuing to prop up this barbaric regime.

You seem to have a lot of certainties.

[CGW]

Just now, yougivemebaby said:

Are you referring to General Mad dog Mattis ? Or just blindly following the tabloid media (aka msm) that childishlycalls all of Trumps advisors names. 

Once "bomber" Bolton was appointed to the "team" you knew they would be bombing somebody soon, it appears to be his main focus in life, not a pleasant person with extreme views IMO.

Trump did well "draining the swamp" appears he is swimming in it first!

[Old Croc]

For me there is a better way to end things than targeting factories.

While never a fan of old, mentally incompetent men in the most powerful job on earth, I did approve of Reagan's tactic of bombing the Dictators home and palaces in 1986.

Gadhafi survived, but stopped his international terror activities from then on.

 

[BobBKK]

15 minutes ago, robblok said:

Why is it the USA never waits for independent confirmation. AFIK there is still no confirmation from an other source that there were indeed chemical attacks. I used to trust the USA to be honest however they have shown to be liars (Irak anyone) so I would have liked it more if the independent organisation that was going to check it has verified the US findings. 

 

I still trust the USA more then Russia.. but I certainly wont trust them blindly. 

 

I don't trust either and I often think Putin comes across more credibly then Trump. This is another 'WMD' gig and part of me looks forward to Russia's response. It's utter madness for USA to bomb a country so far away... what is to be gained?  why is it in USA's interest?  why haven't they bombed other countries? 

 

Why concerned with 2000 chemical deaths (allegedly) but are unconcerned with the 500,000 who died with conventional weapons in Syria?  USA thinks the rebels are freedom fighting patriots? Sounds like set-up by hidden hands. Israel anyone?

Edited April 14, 2018 by BobBKK

[PatOngo]

15 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

The Policeman of the World strikes!  madness  

Yee Haaa....circle the wagons!

[dorchester]

My opinion,just leave these people alone.The middle east has always been onfire and they are experts at killing each other.

[samran]

So let me get this straight - 17 kids get shot up in Florida a couple of months after a bunch more get mowed down in Las Vegas...and nothing happens.

 

But something happens in one of these ‘shithole’ countries and he moves the 6th fleet into position? 

 

Where are the tin foil hatters when you need them? You’ve got a ‘globalist’ as a president fellas. One who said he wanted out of Syria is now up to his neck in it. 

 

Oh yeah, and he just said he wanted to rejoin the TPP...

[CGW]

3 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

what is to be gained?  why is it in USA's interest?  why haven't they bombed other countries?

You have to read the "fake news" to realise the real reasons behind this madness! It nothing to do with 'chemicals" thats for dam sure!

(PS. Oil is not a chemical!)

[midas]

36 minutes ago, Searat7 said:

The strikes had already been made or were underway when Trump announced this action. No doubt this was a difficult decision but the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian dictator against his people (again) could not be ignored. The UK and France also participated. Shame on Russia for continuing to prop up this barbaric regime.

So is this the way things are going to be from now on? One man and one woman as head of the government's have the unilateral right to start a war without any US congressional or British Parliamentary approval? And  even before the OPCW have even arrived in the country?

But what was more revealing was an interview on sky with General Jonathan Shaw, the former Commander of British Armed Forces in Iraq and when he started asking what possible motive there was for Syria to do this when they are on the brink of winning , Sky News abruptly cut him off.

This is a criminal act by criminal people in government.

[FritsSikkink]

1 hour ago, lannarebirth said:

 

In the United States process is always of more importance than substance.

What a nonsense, the right process is to wait for the investigation to finish (hasn't started yet), then when you have actual proof instead of opinions, you react.