2018 bombing of Damascus and Homs

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2018 bombing of Damascus and Homs
Part of the American-led intervention in Syria,
U.S. attacks against the Syrian government,
and the foreign involvement in the Syrian Civil War
320px
A map of the attack sites, according to the U.S. Department of Defense
Location
 Syria
Planned by United States United States
France France
United Kingdom United Kingdom
Commanded by United States Donald Trump
France Emmanuel Macron
United Kingdom Theresa May
Objective Retaliation against the alleged use of chemical weapons in Douma by the Syrian Arab Army
Date 14 April 2018
Executed by
Casualties 4 civilians killed, 6 Syrian soldiers and 3 civilians injured (Syrian claim)[1][2][3]

On 14 April 2018, beginning at 04:00 Syrian time (UTC+3),[4] the United States, France, and the United Kingdom carried out a series of military strikes involving aircraft and ship-based missiles against multiple government sites in Syria.[5][6] The three countries claimed to do so in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians in Douma in eastern Ghouta on 7 April, which they attributed to the Syrian Government.[7][8] Syria denied involvement in the Douma attacks[8] and called the airstrikes a violation of international law.[7]

Background

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See also: Douma chemical attack, Khan Shaykhun chemical attack, and Rif Dimashq offensive (February–April 2018)

On 7 April 2018, amidst a Syrian Government offensive in Eastern Ghouta, a suspected chemical attack was carried out in the Syrian city of Douma, with at least 70 people reported as killed.[9] The Jaysh al-Islam rebel group, which controlled Douma,[10] and several medical,[11] monitoring, and activist groups—including the White Helmets—reported that the Syrian Army helicopters had dropped barrel bombs.[12][13][14][15][16] The bombs were suspected to be filled with chemical munitions such as chlorine gas and sarin.[17][18] The World Health Organization said it received reports from partner agencies that some 500 people presented to health facilities showing "signs and symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic chemicals.”[19]

As with previous incidents, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other nations accused the Assad regime of being responsible for the use of chemical weapons. Russia and Iran, the Syrian government's main allies, denied that chemical weapons had been used, claiming that it was a false flag attack.[20][21] Russia has alleged that video of the chemical attack was staged by members of the White Helmets organization.[22][23] Syrian state news agency had reported that Saudi Arabian-backed[24] Jaysh al-Islam rebel coalition, which controlled the city of Douma at the time,[25] was making "chemical attack fabrications in an exposed and failed attempt to obstruct advances by the Syrian Arab army".[26]

In May 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron had said that the use of chemical weapons in Syria would be a red line requiring immediate reprisal.[27] France and the United States cited positive urine and blood samples collected as proof of chlorine being used in Douma.[28]

In the early hours of 9 April 2018, an airstrike was conducted against Tiyas Military Airbase in Syria.[29] The United States denied launching the airstrike, and an Israeli spokeswoman declined to comment.[30]

On 10 April, an emergency UN Security Council meeting was held, where competing solutions on how to handle the response to the alleged chemical attack were presented and ultimately vetoed.[31][32] By 11 April, each of the Western nations began to consider military action in Syria, seeking a "strong joint response."[33][28][34]

On 11 April, the Syrian government said it had invited the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to investigate the sites of the alleged attacks. "Syria is keen on cooperating with the OPCW to uncover the truth behind the allegations that some western sides have been advertising to justify their aggressive intentions," state news agency SANA said, quoting an official source in the Foreign Ministry.[35]

On 13 April, after denying that chemical weapons were used, Russia alleged that Britain staged the attack in order to provoke U.S. airstrikes.[36][37]

Military action

International law

The United Nations Charter requires a mandate from the United Nations Security Council for sovereign states to use force for the purpose of maintaining international security. Russia's use of its veto meant there was no prospect of the Security Council authorising such action. Therefore, the legality of military action relies on an international public order argument based on defending the credibility of the prohibition of the use of chemical weapons, enforcing Syria's obligations under the terms of its membership of the Chemical Weapons Convention, and protecting civilians from further chemical weapon attacks to alleviate humanitarian suffering.[38]

The strikes came hours before inspectors from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) were due to arrive in Syria to investigate the alleged attack;[39] it had previously been reported that even when the inspectors did have access, they were not allowed into the parts of the sites used for manufacturing and maintenance of chemical weapons.[40]

The United Kingdom published its legal position regarding military action which concluded limited strikes are justified on humanitarian grounds.[41][42]

Forces involved

File:Jim Mattis briefing 2018 Syria attack.jpg
U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford briefing reporters on the attack

The strikes were carried out by the forces of the United States, the United Kingdom and France.[43] The strikes were delivered by ship-based and aircraft delivered cruise missiles.[44]

In total allied forces fired 105 cruise missiles:

Four British Tornado GR4s, supported by four Eurofighter Typhoons,[45] fired a total of eight Storm Shadow missiles.[44][46] The French Navy deployed a strike group in the Eastern Mediterranean consisting of one Cassard-class air-defense frigate, one Georges Leygues-class anti-submarine frigate, one Durance-class tanker and the Aquitaine-class multipurpose frigates Aquitaine (D650), Auvergne (D654), and Languedoc (D653), the latter of which fired three Missile de Croisière Naval land attack missiles.[47] The French Air Force sent five Rafale jets, each carrying two SCALP EG missiles, five Mirage 2000-5F fighters, two E-3 airborne early warning and control planes and six C-135FR tankers.[48][49] The US forces included two B-1 bombers from the 34th Bomb Squadron firing nineteen JASSM-ER missiles.[50] Seven Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Laboon (DDG-58), and thirty from the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Monterey (CG-61) from a position in the Red Sea. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Higgins (DDG-76) fired twenty-three Tomahawks from a position in the Northern part of the Persian Gulf, while the Virginia-class submarine USS John Warner (SSN-785) launched six Tomahawk from the Mediterranean Sea.[51][52] U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said that twice as many weapons were used in the initial strike as in the 2017 Shayrat missile strike;[53] an anonymous US Defense Department official quoted by The Washington Post said that about 100 Tomahawk missiles were fired by the US.[8]

According to US military's Joint Staff, the allocation of missiles to targets was:[54]

Syria responded using its air defense systems, and its state media aired a video of missiles being hit in the sky by Soviet-era S-200 AA systems. Syrian state news agency SANA, as well as Colonel-General Sergei Rudskoi of the Russian military, claimed that Syria used Russian and Soviet air defense systems Pantsir-S1, S-125, S-200, Buk, and Kvadrat.[44][55][56]

Strikes

File:President Trump Delivers an Address to the Nation.webm
President Trump delivers his announcement at 21:00 EST (0100 UTC).

President Donald Trump announced the strikes at 9 pm EDT, 13 April (4 AM, 14 April in Syria, 2 AM in London, 3 AM in Paris) along with allies France and the United Kingdom. Explosions were heard in Damascus, the capital of Syria, just as Trump was speaking.[7] According to U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford, Russia had not been warned in advance of the incoming attack;[57] however, he was contradicted by other American and French officials.[58]

File:Explosions Near Dummar, Syria.webm
Explosions near Dummar, Syria

U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford said three sites were targeted: a research center in Damascus, a chemical weapons storage facility near Homs, and an equipment storage facility and command post also near Homs.[59] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that British aircraft struck chemical weapons sites in Homs.[60] Witnesses reported loud explosions and smoke in the capital Damascus in the early morning, including in the Barzeh neighborhood, the site of the Barzah scientific research centre, a major research establishment.[7] The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that attack sites included two scientific research centers in Damascus and another in the Homs area, as well as military bases in Damascus.[7]

File:The ruins of the American missile attack on Syria 09 (cropped).jpg
Buildings destroyed by allied missile strikes, 14 April 2018

The U.S. armed forces stated that all missiles hit their intended targets without interference,[56] and according to Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie, the Syrian air defences fired 40 intercepting surface-to-air missiles but failed to hit any of the targets.[61] However, the Syrian army stated that it "intercepted most of the missiles",[56] while the Syrian state media reported that its air defenses shot down 13 incoming missiles near Al-Kiswa, south of Damascus.[44] The Russian military reported that Syria's air defenses shot down 71 of 103 cruise missiles.[55][56] The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported no known casualties, but stated there was considerable material damage.[62] Syria's state-run TV news reported three civilians injured at Homs, though they also claimed that the missile strike there was "aborted".[3]

Aftermath

File:2018 bombing of Damascus and Homs Syrian protesters.png
Pro-government Syrians demonstrating with Syrian, Iranian, and Russian flags, following the attacks

Hours after the strikes, hundreds of Syrians in Damascus were seen protesting, denouncing the attack. Demonstrators were seen waving Iranian, Syrian and Russian flags while also shouting slogans of allegiance to President al-Assad.[63] The activity of Russian internet trolls also increased by "2,000%", according to Chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White.[64] Workers at a destroyed laboratory denied ever making any chemical weapons.[65]

Russia called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on 14 April, but the resolution it brought to the session condemning the attacks failed to pass, with only Bolivia and China supporting the motion.[63][66] Nikki Haley, Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN, stated following the strikes that the United States was "locked and loaded" should the Syrian government use chemical weapons once more.[63]

A further meeting of the Security Council is to be held on 16 April, to discuss a resolution presented jointly by France, the UK and the U.S. The resolution calls for an independent inquiry into the use of chemical weapons in Syria, medical evacuations and the safe passage of aid convoys across the country.[67]

The effectiveness and impact of the strike has been downplayed by some analysts.[68] In Syria, the strikes were interpreted as a victory for Assad because their limited scope were seen as indicating that Western countries no longer intended to continue seriously challenging his rule.[69] According to Russian state media, the governor of Russia’s autonomous Khanty-Mansiysk district said after meeting with Assad that “President Assad was in absolutely positive spirits. He is in a good mood.”[69]

Statements and reactions

Belligerent nations

  •  Syria: Syrian state media called the attack a "flagrant violation of international law".[7] Nasr al-Hariri, the Syrian opposition leader who leads the opposition committee in the ongoing U.N. negotiations, said that the attack might discourage the Syrian government from using chemical weapons, but could also prompt "revengeful escalations" by the government forces against Syrians, and warned that the international community needs to find a "political solution" to save Syria.[citation needed]
  •  France: President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement on 14 April that France's "red line has been crossed", in reference to the previous attacks on Douma. He said that the Syrian government "no doubt" carried out the attack, and described the strikes as aimed at stopping Syria's chemical weapon production.[70]
  •  United Kingdom: While announcing the strikes, Prime Minister Theresa May stated that there was "no practicable alternative to the use of force" to deal with the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons.[60] Opposition politicians condemned the strikes, with many questioning May's decision to press ahead without obtaining parliamentary approval first. Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn called the strikes "legally questionable" and said that "Bombs won't save lives or bring about peace".[71]SNP's Nicola Sturgeon condemned the decision to launch missile attacks on Syria without the backing of parliament: "An international strategy for peace must be pursued - not a course that risks dangerous escalation. UK foreign policy should be set by Parliament, not US President." She added "the question that the PM has not answered is how this action, taken without parliamentary approval, will halt their [chemical weapons'] use or bring long term peace.[72]
  •  United States: President Donald Trump announced the strikes in a televised address, arguing that they were part of the effort to stop Assad from using chemical weapons, and said that the US was "prepared to sustain this response" until this was achieved.[44] Dana W. White, The Pentagon Chief Spokeperson, stated that "this operation does not represent a change in US policy or an attempt to depose the Syrian regime".[61] The New York Times reported that the reactions initially broke among partisan lines, with members of the Republican Party—the party of President Donald Trump—being generally supportive while the Democrats were generally critical.[73] Republicans Tom Cotton and Orrin Hatch praised the strikes.[74] Other lawmakers, in particular Democrats, although generally supportive of a limited strike to punish Assad for using banned chemical weapons, criticized the Trump administration for not seeking Congressional approval and for not having a "coherent Syria Strategy".[74] Democratic senator Tim Kaine re-emphasized his long-held belief that the military intervention without Congressional authorization and long-term strategy are "illegal" and "reckless".[75][76]

Syrian allied states

File:Pro-government Syrians demonstration in Damascus after US missile strike 03.jpg
Pro-government Syrians demonstrating with Ali Khamenei's photo
  •  Iran: The Foreign Ministry condemned the missile strikes, said that there is "no proof" of Syrian responsibility in the chemical attack on Douma, and criticized the United States for attacking without waiting for an Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons investigation.[77] Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, called Trump, May and Macron "criminals" and warns that "they will gain nothing" from the strike.[78]
  •  Russia: President Vladimir Putin described the strikes as an "act of aggression", saying that "Russian servicemen are helping the legitimate government in its fight with terrorism".[63] Russia also called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.[79] Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the United States, strongly condemned the coalition attacks on Syria and warned the Western countries of "consequences".[80] Sergei Rudskoi, the Russian Colonel-General, in a TV briefing, said that Russia may consider sending S-300 surface-to-air missile systems not only to Syria but to other countries as well.[79]

Other NATO member states

  •  Albania: Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati strongly supported the airstrikes, declaring that "The use of chemical weapons againsts civilians are an horrendous attack against humanity" and that "the use of chemical weapons is a breach to international norms and should not go unpunished", while President of Albania Ilir Meta also voiced his support for "the military intervention of the USA, France and Britain against the chemical arsenal of Assad. We support our allies and the determination of President Trump to defend the people, human rights and any action that punishes barbarian acts".[81][82][83]
  •  Bulgaria: Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva backed the air strikes, while calling for a de-escalation of tension.[84]
  •  Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau supported the strikes in a statement, stating "Canada condemns in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons in last week's attack in eastern Ghouta, Syria. Canada supports the decision by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France to take action to degrade the Assad regime's ability to launch chemical weapon attacks against its own people. We will continue to work with our international partners to further investigate the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Those responsible must be brought to justice."[85]
  •  Croatia: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed their support of their partners and allies in preventing further chemical weapons usage in Syria.[86]
  •  Czech Republic: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that "the Czech Republic understands the US and allies' military action as a clear message to anyone, who would want to carry on with the chemical attacks in Syria." The Ministry also pointed out that "the UN Security Council has not been able to take effective measures to resolve the situation" and condemned the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government.[87] Minister of Foreign Affairs Martin Stropnický in a press briefing warned against incoming Russian propaganda and fake news.[88]
  •  Denmark: Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated that there was full support for the strikes by Denmark's allies, explaining that "in war there are rules, and they have been blatantly broken by Assad in Douma".[89]
  •  Estonia: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the strike was an appropriate response to Syria's repeated use of chemical weapons.[90]
  •  Germany: Chancellor Angela Merkel declared support for the strikes, calling them a "necessary and appropriate" measure.[91]
  •  Greece: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that they "unreservedly condemn" the use of chemical weapons and support their eradication, while also stating that the United Nations should find a "sustainable" solution to the Syrian conflict.[92]
  •  Italy: Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni supported the strikes, however the outgoing government has denied the use of Italian air bases for direct attack missions in Syria. Also the Prime Minister stressed that they can not be the beginning of an escalation. The Prime Minister also added: "This is in fact the concept that Italy has been reiterating for days. One century after the end of the World War I, we can not resign ourselves to the idea that chemical weapons will return to be used in conflicts. The humanitarian consequences of these atrocious weapons are not worthy of our civilization. We have seen them in these days and we cannot longer tolerate them."[93]
  •  Netherlands: The Netherlands voted against the Russian resolution to condemn the attacks.[1]
  •  Poland: President Andrzej Duda welcomed the positive feedback on the overnight strikes, saying that they "were needed" and added that "decent nations cannot allow innocent people to be killed with chemical weapons... We are a member of the coalition, a member of the North Atlantic Alliance, and, of course, we back and support the actions of our allies."[94] Poland's foreign ministry said that the international community could not remain passive in the face of repeated chemical weapons attacks against civilians in Syria.[95] In the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland called for refraining from actions which could further escalate the situation.[96]
  •  Romania: President Klaus Iohannis announced that Romania supports the actions of US–United Kingdom–France alliance.[97] Iohannis wrote in a post on Twitter: "Romania reiterates its condemnation of the use of chemical weapons in Syria, which is beyond any justification. We stand in solidarity with the actions of our strategic partners."[98]
  •  Spain: Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy stated that while the attacks were "proportional", they resulted from the "paralysis" of the Security Council, and that only a political transition process could repair the country of Syria.[99]
  •  Turkey: Sources within the Foreign Ministry reported to Reuters that "We see the operation carried out against the Syrian government by the United States, the United Kingdom and France... as an appropriate response."[100] Deputy PM Bekir Bozdağ said that Turkey was informed before the US-led airstrikes; he also added that Incirlik Air Base was not used during the attack.[101] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed the strike, saying that "the Syrian regime received the message that its massacres wouldn't be left unanswered." President Erdogan further explained that "the innocent Syrian people should have been defended long ago."[102]

Other nations

  •  Algeria: Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia told reporters that "Algeria can only regret the strikes" before adding that no action should be taken before an investigation into the alleged chemical attack was conducted.[103]
  •  Argentina: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship released a statement in which it condemned the use of chemical weapons, and called the international community to "make efforts to preserve peace and security, avoiding actions that generate an escalation of tension".[104] President Mauricio Macri reaffirmed that Argentina it's against use, manufacturing, and stock of cheamical weapons.[105]
  •  Australia: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull supported the strikes, calling them an "unequivocal message" to Assad.[106] Turnbull also noted that "Russia and Syria's other main supporter, Iran, must place pressure on the regime to end its abuse of international law and human rights."[106] Turnbull commented that the intervention demonstrated a "calibrated, proportionate and targeted response".[107]
  •  Belarus: The foreign ministry condemns the strikes launched on Syria stating that "The situation in Syria is actually turning into an interstate armed conflict, which risks leading to further uncontrolled escalation that might go beyond the region. The use of prohibited weapons of mass destruction should not be left without consequences. However, the response should be based on unequivocal and verified facts and made in strict compliance with international law. None of these criteria were observed by those who have attacked Syria today. We believe that all members of the UN Security Council need to make every effort to fulfill the task assigned to them by the international community to restore and maintain international peace and security."[108]
  •  Bolivia: President Evo Morales strongly condemned the strikes, in a statement where he called them an "unhinged attack on the brother people of Syria."[109] As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Bolivia also voted in favour of the failed Russian resolution condemning the attacks.[110]
  •  Brazil: Minister of Foreign Affairs Aloysio Nunes expressed his concern. Speaking at the Summit of the Americas, he said he was "preoccupied with the increase of military action in Syria and the serious accusations of chemical weapons use". He also said Brazil was "waiting for a conclusion about the attack by OPCW to come as soon as possible so the responsible people can be punished".[111][112]
  •  China: The Chinese government was concerned about the airstrikes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Hua Chunying said: "Any unilateral military action violates the United Nations charter and its principles and international law and its principles. [The strikes] are also going to add more factors to complicate the resolution of the Syrian crisis."[113][114] At the emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council held on 14 April, China also voted in favour of the failed Russian resolution condemning the attacks.[110]
  •  Chile: President Sebastian Piñera condemned the Syria government's attacks on "their own people", while he avoided explicitly supporting the airstrikes and stated that "we must avoid an escalation of violence that can transform the Syrian conflict into a regional or larger one."[115]
  •  Colombia: President Juan Manuel Santos voiced support for the attacks, while condemning the use of chemical weapons and stated: "We support actions to punish their use and seek their total elimination."[112]
  •  Côte d'Ivoire: Côte d'Ivoire voted against the Russian resolution to condemn the attacks.[1]
  •  Cuba: The Cuban government denounced the attacks and stated that "the Cuban Revolutionary Government conveys its solidarity and sympathy with the people and government of Syria for the loss of lives and material damage as a consequence of this heinous attack."[116]
  •  Cyprus: Cyprus denied advance knowledge of or participation in the attack which was at least partially launched from Akrotiri and Dhekelia, the British Overseas Territories on the island of Cyprus. The Cypriot government said it hoped that it would "subsequently be possible for military operations to be avoided in Syria and that sources of danger in this neighboring country will be addressed with peaceful means and through dialogue."[117]
  •  Egypt: The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing concern regarding the attacks. The statement reiterated Egypt's solidarity with Syria's "aspirations to live in safety and stability and to preserve their national capabilities and territorial integrity through a political consensus that includes all sectors of society."[118]
  •  Finland: President Sauli Niinistö stated that the attacks didn't solve anything and claimed in an interview with Yle that "keeping contact with the other side so that a step forward in the conflict would not be taken accidentally" was important.[119]
  •  India: Raveesh Kumar, spokesman for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, offered a more distanced response, stating "We have taken note of the recent strikes in Syria. India is closely following the situation. The alleged use of chemical weapons, if true, is deplorable. We call for an impartial and objective investigation by the OPCW to establish the facts."[120]
  •  Indonesia: Arrmanatha Nasir, spokesman for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Indonesia was "concerned about unilateral actions by any parties, including the use of Tomahawk missiles, in response to the chemical weapons attack tragedy in Syria." He went on to say that, for Indonesia, "peace and stability in Syria can only be achieved through dialogue and an inclusive political process."[121]
  •  Iraq: The foreign ministry said that the strikes are "a very dangerous development" and could give terrorism an opportunity to expand in the region.[citation needed]
  •  Ireland: Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach of Ireland, said "The Irish government and I believe that the use of chemical weapons is abhorrent, it's a war crime and what's necessary now is that there be a full investigation." "In terms of any action taken by other countries I'm very much of the view that unilateral action is not the way we should act on these matters, that we should act on a multi-lateral basis through the United Nations if possible."[122]
  •  Israel: Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu praised the American led strike. He added that Syrian president Bashar al-Assad must understand that “his provision of a forward base for Iran and its proxies endangers Syria”[123]. Cabinet Minister Yoav Gallant declared the American-led attack "an important signal to the Axis of Evil – Iran, Syria and Hezbollah"[124] and labels Assad "the Angel of Death to hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians, and there's no doubt the world will be a better place without Assad".[125]
  •  Japan: Prime Minister Shinzō Abe told reporters that he supports the "resolve" of the strikes.[126]
  •  Kuwait: Kuwait voted against the Russian resolution to condemn the attacks.[1]
  •  Lebanon: President Michel Aoun condemned the attacks as impeding "all ongoing attempts to to end the suffering of the Syrian people." Defense Minister Yacoub Sarraf characterized the attack as a "flagrant violation of international law" and expressed concern that it would lead to the entanglement of Lebanon in Syria's war. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants condemned the strikes as constituting "a flagrant attack on the sovereignty of a sister Arab country."[127]
  •  Morocco: In a statement, the Moroccan government said that "military options, including air strikes, no matter how justified they might be, will only complicate political solutions, worsen the suffering of civilian victims and exacerbate anti-Western sentiments."[128]
  •  New Zealand: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern supports a diplomatic approach and accepted the strikes as a result of Russia's veto powers at the Security Council. In a statement, she indicates that New Zealand "absolutely condemn and will continue to condemn" Russia's use of the veto.[129]
  •  Pakistan: Dr. Mohammad Faisal, spokesman of the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Pakistan was in deep concern over the strikes and "condemns the use of chemical weapons anywhere by anyone."[130]
  •  Qatar: The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its support for the attacks "on specific military targets, which the Syrian regime uses to attack innocent civilians." It condemned Syria's use of chemical weapons "against civilians regardless of the humanitarian and legal consequences" and said that the situation demanded "that the international community take immediate measures to protect the Syrian people and disarm the regime of internationally prohibited arms."[131]
  •  Saudi Arabia: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomed the US-led strikes on Syrian chemical weapons sites on Saturday, while other countries called for a long-term political solution to the country's war. "Saudi Arabia fully supports the strikes launched by the United States, France and Britain against Syria because they represent a response to the regime's crimes," said the Saudi Foreign Affairs Ministry and it also adds the "Syrian regime's use of chemical weapons against innocent civilians, including women and children".[132]
  •  Serbia: President Aleksandar Vucic declined to take a side on the airstrikes, and referenced Serbia's current policy of military neutrality and said that a small country like his "should not interfere in the games of the big powers"; he also stated that for many Serbians the airstrikes recalled a "painful period we went through", referring to the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia.[81]
  •  Sweden: Foreign Minister Margot Wallström said that one crime against international law can not be solved by committing another, referring to the suspected chemical weapons attack and the bombings of Damascus respectively. She also said it was regrettable that the United Nations Security Council had hugely failed in its attempts to solve the conflict.[133]
  •  Ukraine: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement in which it supported the attack and expressed its solidarity with the United States, Great Britain and France while condemning the "crimes of Damascus by the Kremlin regime".[134]
  •  Venezuela: President Nicolás Maduro stated that "this attack is a criminal act against the people of Syria, which was carried out with the aim to create panic and terrorism and destroy the scientific centers of the country", calling France, United Kingdom and United States "dogs of war".[135]
  •  Vietnam: "Vietnam is concerned about the situation in Syria and opposes the use of force that threatens the lives of innocent people as well as peace and stability in the region. We think that all conflicts and disagreements must be resolved through peaceful means based on international law, in particular the United Nations Charter, on the principle of respect for the independence and sovereignty of all nations. The United Nations Convention Against Chemical Weapons must be strictly adhered to."[136]

Partially recognized states

  •  Kosovo: Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj was among the first to show support for the U.S. decision on Twitter to launch the air strikes, saying that his country "stands strongly with the US and our Euro-Atlantic allies" while President Hashim Thaci also backed the strikes against the "inhuman regime" of Bashar al-Assad.[137]
  •  Republic of China (Taiwan): The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has condemned the Syrian government's chemical attacks on its civilians and voiced its support for global sanctions against such crimes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Andrew Lee said: "Taiwan strongly opposes and condemns any government that uses chemical weapons and other weapons of mass destruction to hurt innocent people, and supports the international community's adoption of necessary sanctions."[138]

Supranational organizations

Non-state organizations

  • Jaysh al-Islam: Mohammad Alloush, a key member of Army of Islam coalition of Salafist and Islamist rebel groups,[143] wrote that US-led military strikes in Syria were a "farce" as long as President Assad remained in power.[144]
  • Hamas: The Hamas government in the Gaza Strip has condemned the bombing, saying that "blatant aggression on Syrian soil aims to destroy its capabilities in order to preserve the existence of the Zionist entity and pass its plans".[145]
  • 23x15px Hezbollah: The Lebanese Shia militant resistance group/political party Hezbollah sharply condemned the US, French and British air strikes on Syria, praising the Arab neighbor's air defense for confronting the missile attacks. The statement says: “America’s war against Syria, and against the region’s peoples and resistance movement, will not achieve its aims."[112]

See also

References

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  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  10. ↑ "Jaish al-Islam to leave Douma in return for releasing prisoners". Reuters. 8 April 2018.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Генштаб РФ объявил об отправке в Думу российской военной полиции Archived 12 April 2018 at the Wayback Machine NEWSru, 11 April 2018.
  23. ↑ White Helmets staged Douma ‘chemical weapons attack’ on civilians — Russian General Staff Archived 12 April 2018 at the Wayback Machine TASS, 11 April 2018.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ "Which rebel groups are fighting in Syria's eastern Ghouta?". Deutsche Welle. 20 February 2018.
  26. ↑ "Dozens killed in suspected chemical attack on Syrian rebel enclave". The Guardian. 8 April 2018.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 44.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[non-primary source needed]
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 56.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  59. ↑ US, UK and France strike Syria, Veronica Rocha, Amanda Wills and Brian Ries, CNN, 13 April 2018
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  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  62. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 63.2 63.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  64. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  67. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/15/western-allies-launch-diplomatic-offensive-in-wake-of-syria-strikes
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  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  70. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  71. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  72. ↑ "Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  73. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  74. ↑ 74.0 74.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  75. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  76. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  77. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  78. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  79. ↑ 79.0 79.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  80. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  82. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  83. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  84. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  85. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  86. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  87. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  88. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  89. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  90. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  91. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  92. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  93. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  94. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  95. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  96. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  97. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  98. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[non-primary source needed]
  99. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  100. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  101. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Son dakika... Bekir Bozdağ: 'Türkiye saldırıdan önce bilgilendirildi'
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  104. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  105. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  106. ↑ 106.0 106.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  107. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  108. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  109. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[non-primary source needed]
  110. ↑ 110.0 110.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  111. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  112. ↑ 112.0 112.1 112.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  113. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  114. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  115. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  116. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  117. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  118. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  119. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  120. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  121. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  122. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  123. ↑ {{cite news|https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-air-strikes-latest-israel-benjamin-netanyahu-praise-donald-trump-uk-france-a8305066.html
  124. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  125. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  126. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  133. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  134. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  135. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  136. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  137. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  138. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  139. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  140. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  141. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  142. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  143. ↑ "Who's involved in the rebels' Aleppo offensive? The cliff-notes". Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. 28 October 2016.
  144. ↑ "Blasts shake Damascus as US and allies launch Syria strikes". Daily Times. 14 April 2018.
  145. ↑ http://hamas.ps/en/post/1261/hamas-condemns-tripartite-aggression-on-syria

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