2017 Shayrat missile strike

2017 Shayrat missile strike
Part of the Syrian Civil War
the American-led intervention in Syria
and US attacks against the Syrian government
USS Ross fires a Tomahawk missile
towards Shayrat Airbase
Operational scopeSingle-site targeted military strike
Location
Shayrat Airbase, Shayrat, Syria

34°29′39″N 36°54′40″E / 34.49417°N 36.91111°E / 34.49417; 36.91111
Planned byUnited States
Commanded byDonald Trump
Jim Mattis
TargetShayrat Airbase
Date7 April 2017; 7 years ago (2017-04-07)
04:40 EEST (UTC+03:00)
Executed by United States Navy
CasualtiesAt least 16 killed (per Talal Barazi, governor of Homs)[1]
9 civilians killed including 4 children[2]
9 soldiers killed (per SOHR)[3]
9-20 aircraft destroyed[4]
1 SAM battery destroyed[5]
Shayrat Airbase is located in Syria
Shayrat Airbase
Shayrat Airbase
Location of Shayrat Airbase in Syria

On the morning of 7 April 2017,[6][7] the United States launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the Mediterranean Sea into Syria, aimed at Shayrat Airbase controlled by the Syrian government.[7][8][9] The strike was executed on the authorization of U.S. President Donald Trump, as a direct response to the Khan Shaykhun chemical attack that occurred on 4 April.[8][10]

The strike was the first unilateral military action by the United States targeting the Syrian government during the Syrian Civil War.[10][11] President Trump stated shortly thereafter, "It is in this vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons."[12][13]

The Syrian Air Force launched airstrikes against the rebels from the base only hours after the American attack. It was reported that advance warning was given to Russia, an ally of the Syrian government, by the US prior to the missile strike.[14]

  1. ^ Abdulrahim, Raja; Rydan, Noam (7 April 2017). "Syria Says Strike Kills 16, Damages Air Base". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 8 April 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2017 – via www.wsj.com.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference tribune was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Human losses rise to 9 of members and officers of regime forces in the US missile strikes on al-Shayrat airbase". 10 April 2017. Archived from the original on 16 April 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  4. ^ "Nine Syrian planes destroyed by US strike on airfield". ITV News. 7 April 2017. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  5. ^ "ISI first to analyze Shayrat airfield missile attack". ImageStat International. Archived from the original on 13 April 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  6. ^ a b Gordon, Michael R.; Cooper, Helene; Shear, Michael D. (6 April 2017). "Dozens of U.S. Missiles Hit Air Base in Syria". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. President Trump said Thursday night that the United States had carried out a missile strike in Syria on Thursday night in response to the Syrian government's chemical weapons attack this week that killed more than 80 civilians ... Mr. Trump authorized the strike with no congressional approval for the use of force.
  7. ^ a b "Statement from Pentagon Spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis on U.S. strike in S" (Press release). U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017. ...today [6 April 2017] at about 8:40 p.m. EDT (4:40 a.m., April 7, in Syria)...
  8. ^ a b Starr, Barbara; Diamond, Jeremy (6 April 2017). "Trump launches military strike against Syria". CNN. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  9. ^ "Syria war: US launches missile strikes following chemical 'attack'". BBC News. 7 April 2017. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  10. ^ a b Lamothe, Dan; Ryan, Missy; Gibbons-Neff, Thomas (6 April 2017). "U.S. strikes Syrian military airfield in first direct assault on Bashar al-Assad's government". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  11. ^ "US warships launch cruise missile strike against Syrian airfield in retaliation for chemical attack". ABC News Australia. 7 April 2017. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  12. ^ Lopez, German; Nelson, Libby (6 April 2017). "President Trump speaks after ordering attack on Syria". Vox. Archived from the original on 7 June 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  13. ^ "Trump calls on 'all civilized nations' to end carnage in Syria after launching missile strike". Dallas News. 7 April 2017. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference tele was invoked but never defined (see the help page).