By Elton Gomes
The United States, France, and the UK, launched joint military airstrikes on Syria, as per media reports. US claims that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is to be blamed for the suspected chemical attack on April 7 that took the lives of over 40 Syrians.
In a briefing at the White House on Friday, Trump said, “I ordered the United States armed forces to launch precision strikes on targets associated with the chemical weapon capabilities of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad,” CNN reported.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2018
The airstrikes were reportedly launched at around 9 p.m. ET. Eyewitnesses claim to have heard explosions in Damascus, as Trump delivered his address at the White House.
Officials at the Pentagon have stated that the US and its allies launched more than 100 strikes in a “one-time shot.” However, no official confirmation was received as to how many strikes hit their targets.
The Russian defence ministry claimed that most of the missiles fired during the attack were intercepted by the Syrian government’s air defence systems.
“More than 100 cruise missiles and air-to-land missiles were fired by the US, Britain and France from the sea and air at Syrian military and civilian targets,” the Russian defence ministry added, the Times of Israel reported.
The Syrian military backed Russia’s statements. While reading a statement to Syrian TV, the Syrian military’s Brigadier General Ali Mayhoub said, “Our air defenses effectively shot down most of them.”
Russia has warned of retaliation against the US and its allies over the airstrikes. Russian President Vladimir Putin questioned the US’s move, deeming the strikes an “act of aggression.” Putin said that Russia would call for an emergency meeting with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to discuss the “aggressive actions of the United States and its allies.”
Here’s what happened
The attack on Douma
On April 7, Syrian opposition activists, rescue workers, and medics said that over 40 Syrians were killed in an alleged chemical attack in Douma, a rebel-held town in Eastern Ghouta.
The Violations Documentation Centre (VDC) in Syria reported three separate incidents of airstrikes, suspected to contain poisonous gas. The incidents reportedly occurred at 12 pm, 4 pm, and 7.30 pm, as per the VDC. Signs of “respiratory distress, central cyanosis (blue skin or lips), excessive oral foaming, corneal burns, and the emission of chlorine-like odour” were visible in patients, the Syria Civil Defence and the Syrian American Medical Society said in a joint statement, BBC reported.
The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations stated that people were treated for breathing difficulties. Patients who were being treated in hospitals were reportedly smelling strongly of a chlorine-like substance.
As per a report by the UOSSM, a total of 42 people were confirmed dead in the attack. The report mentioned that “many of the victims were women and children and experienced symptoms consistent with inhaling toxic gas.”
The aftermath of the attack
The attack left several questions unanswered. Who dropped the bombs containing the supposed toxic gas? Why did it target Douma? What was the toxic gas used in the attack? As the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is yet to determine what poisonous gas was used, nothing definite could be concluded about the attack.
However, Trump blamed his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad for the attack. Besides Assad, Trump blamed Assad’s Russian and Iranian allies as well.
Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018
….to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018
President Bashar Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies have denied using of any type of chemical weapons. Instead they accused the rebels and relief workers within the area of fabricating the story to gain sympathy.
Why you should care
Despite the allegations made the various governments, there has been no confirmation about whether chemical weapons were used in the attack on 7 April.
When US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis was asked about whether the US had any proof of Assad’s regime having carried out the attack, Mattis said he was “confident” that Assad was capable of such an act. A report in the Hindu argues that perhaps America and its allies should have waited for the OPCW to conclude its probe and involve the UNSC in the matter.
According to a report by Vox airstrikes appear to have been become a trend for Trump, which raises questions about whether the US and other Western countries are interested in delving into, and peacefully resolving the Syrian conflict.
At present, Trump’s airstrikes do not appear to be aimed at a broader effort of restraining Assad’s dictatorial regime. Instead, the airstrikes may just have plunged Syria into a deeper crisis.
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