US Launches Missile Strikes On Syria

The United States has launched dozens of cruise missiles at a Syrian government air base from where America says the Syrian military initiated a deadly chemical attack.

Russia has called the strike an "aggression against a sovereign state in violation of international law" which was carried out under a "far-fetched pretext".

The Pentagon says 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from two US Navy ships in the Mediterranean at an air base near the Syrian city of Homs.

The US missiles struck at 3.45 am on Friday, local time, and targeted the base's airstrips, hangars, control tower and ammunition areas.

A Syrian official said the attack killed three soldiers and two civilians while seven others were wounded.

President Trump said the strikes were justified.

"Tonight I ordered a targeted military strike on the air field in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched. It was in the vital national security interest of the US to prevent and deter the use of deadly chemical weapons."

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said the Government had been in "close contact" with the US administration in the run-up to the strike.

A No 10 spokeswoman commented:

"The UK Government fully supports the US action, which we believe was an appropriate response to the barbaric chemical weapons attack launched by the Syrian regime, and is intended to deter further attacks."

The US has warned that it would be prepared to strike President Assad's forces again - although it hopes it will not be necessary.

The UN Security Council has held an emergency meeting to discuss the US action.

Earlier Russia said it is suspending an agreement with the US military to prevent accidental clashes between their planes over Syria.

Moscow has also announced measures to strengthen Syria's air defences. 

Syrian state media said nine civilians were killed in the US missile strikes.