US strikes Syria after chemical attack

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. on Thursday fired at many as 60 Tomahawk missiles at a Syrian military airbase American officials believe was used to carry out a deadly suspected chemical attack.

The missiles were fired from U.S. warships and hit the Shayrat Airbase at approximately 8:45 p.m. Eastern Time (1245GMT). Planes, a runway and fuel points at the base were targeted, according to a U.S. official who said strikes are completed unless another decision is made for more action.

The base is reportedly home to hardened fortifications used to house Syrian aircraft and it is unclear if the jets that were stationed there were moved before the U.S. carried out its attack.

President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the strikes are in the “vital national security interest' of the U.S. and urged “civilized nations” to join Washington in “seeking to end the slaughter and bloodshed in Syria”.

The strikes Thursday night are the first taken against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces since Trump assumed office at the end of January.

He said earlier this week the suspected chemical attack Monday on the outskirts of Khan Shaykhun in Idlib province crossed "a lot of lines" and is an "affront to humanity".

He said it caused him to rethink his long-standing views on Syria and Assad.