U.S., French and British naval and air forces have fired over 100 cruise missiles against targets believed to be used by the Syrian regime for the development, production and storage of chemical weapons.
On 14th April, U.S., French and British naval and air forces carried out precision stand-off strikes against targets believed to be used by the Syrian regime for the development, production and storage of chemical weapons.
A total of 105 weapons were fired from British, French and American aircraft and naval platforms in the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean. U.S. naval platforms launched Tomahawk cruise missiles, while B-1 Lancer bombers fired joint air-to-surface stand-off missiles (JASSM).
Storm Shadow/Scalp cruise missiles were fired by British Tornado aircraft and also by French Rafales. MDCN cruise missiles were also launched by a French Navy FREMM frigate — the first time this weapon has been used in operations.
Targets were described as a scientific research centre in the greater Damascus area, reported to be a centre for research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological agents; a chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs, thought to be the primary location of Syrian sarin and precursor production equipment; and a chemical weapons storage facility, combined with an important command post.
Initial damage assessment reports indicated that all three targets were destroyed.
It was the second military strike against Syrian chemical facilities, following a U.S. attack against the Shayrat air base in April 2017. A total of 58 missiles were launched in that attack.