BREAKING: Trump calls on ‘civilised nations’ to join US assault against Assad
The United States has launched air strikes into Syria as a response to Assad’s alleged use of chemical weapons on his own citizens. Trump stated that Assad has crossed a number of “red lines”, using rhetoric akin to that of Obama who gave a similar response to Assad’s previous use of chemical weapons. Only this time, Trump has actually decided to use military force against Assad.
The President has called all “civilised nations” to work with the US to “end the slaughter and bloodshed in Syria”.
Fox News states that the US has launched Tomahawk missile strikes aimed at a Syrian airfield, with a US official saying the target is located just outside Homs. The airbase is believed to have been used to launch the chemical attacks against civilians. Two warships in based in the Eastern mediterranean have already been trained for a situation like this, according to officials.
Trump is currently holding a two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. It is unclear whether these actions will have an impact on US relations with China.
What is most concerning is the US relationship with Russia. Russia reacted against Trump’s previous statement regarding Assad, with Putin stating that Trump was “hasty” in putting “labels on it”, referring to the chemical attack. Putin wanted a “more considered approach” to solving the crisis. It seems like the US-Russia relation is now under threat, with Trump attacking Russia’s ally, Assad.