US,UK and France carry out air strikes at Assad regime
Missile and air strikes have been conducted at targets in Syria by the US, UK and France. The Assad regime facilities, specifically those which were used for manufacturing of chemical weapons, have been targeted.
According to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford the targets were chosen “to mitigate the risk” of hitting Russian forces. "We specifically identified the targets to mitigate the risk of Russian forces being involved," General Dunford stated at the press briefing.
Local reports note that Hezbollah headquarters have been hit by several cruise missiles in the town of Qusayr in northern Homs.
Explosion sounds could be heard from the city of Latakia. Cruise missiles also appeared to be targeting regime positions in Aleppo.
West Damascus has been reportedly hit hard with cruise missiles. Many important Syrian military bases, including 4th Division Headquarters are located in that area.
Media associated to Bashar Assad's regime in Syria reported a number Lebanese Hezbollah bases have been targeted. UK Defense Ministry said that four tornado warplanes using Storm Shadow missiles targeted military bases located 15 miles west of Homs.
General Dunford said that there was “some surface-to-air missile activity from the Syrian regime”.
The Pentagon said that only retaliatory action it is aware of so far is from the Syrian regime. General Dunford said he's not aware of any Russian response or attempt to shoot down U.S. missiles.
Syrian news agency stated that allegedly 13 missiles have been intercepted.
The Pentagon confirmed that there have been no casualties. The four UK Typhoon fighter jets are said to have returned safely to Cyprus.
US did NOT coordinate with Russia on these attacks. "We did not do any coordination with Russia on these strikes, and neither did we pre-notify them,” said General Dunford.
US officials have said that 100-120 missiles were launched in the Syrian operation. USS Porter, USS Cook, and USS Higgins contributed to the operation by firing Tomahawk cruise missiles
Russia condemned the strikes of the US and its allies.
"By conducting strikes on Syria, the US violate all international norms, and Russia views this as an act of aggression,” said Alexander Sherin, chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee as quoted by Sputnik new agency.