Syria decries US airstrike, calls it an aggression
The US, early Friday morning fired 59 Tomahawk missiles intended for a single target — Ash Sha’irat in Homs province in western Syria. The missiles were fired from two warships in the Mediterranean Sea, in retaliation for Assad’s deadly chemical attack on his people on Tuesday, read here .
A military official quoted on Syrian TV said an air base in central Syria was hit early Friday, causing material damage. Another statement, by an unnamed official, referred to “losses”, but the officials did not elaborate on what kind of losses. Talal Barazi, the governor of Homs province, where the targeted air base is located, told The Associated Press that most of the strikes appeared to target the province in central Syria.
He also said the strikes were meant to “support the terrorists on the ground.” He told Al Arabiya TV that a fire raged for two hours in the base, until it was put out. A Syrian opposition group, the Syrian Coalition, welcomed the U.S. attack, saying it puts an end to an age of “impunity” and should be just the beginning. Several US allies supported the airstrike.
Israel was the first to respond, Prime Minister Netanyahu said the attack was very necessary, adding that it resonates.
Turkey said the attack was important and meaningful.
United Kingdon said it was an appropriate response to a barbaric attack by the Syrian President. Saudi Arabia said it fully supports the United States.
Japan has become the latest country to offer backing for the US strikes against the Syrian airbase, joining the UK, Australia, Israel,Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe said “the nerve gas attack earlier this week justified the retaliation”. Abe said:
” Many innocent people became victims from the chemical attacks. The international community was shocked by the tragedy that left many young children among the victims. Japan supports the US government’s determination to prevent the spread and use of chemical weapons”.
Russia and Iran however, had a different opinion. They decried the US missiles attack, saying it was an attack on a sovereign state and violation of International law.
The Russians were warned before the US attacked the airfield.
Source: AP
