Missile strike on alleged Syrian chemical weapon sites
A Tomahawk land attack missile is fired from the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey early Saturday, April 14, 2018, as part of a joint military response to Syria's use of chemical weapons on April 7.
The United States, United Kingdom and France launched military strikes on Syria to degrade the chemical weapons capabilities of President Bashar Assad.
Attack on Syria
U.S., British and French forces launched air strikes on Syria in response to last week's suspected poison gas attack that killed dozens in the rebel-controlled Damascus suburb of Douma.
President Donald Trump and his British and French allies said the airstrikes were necessary to deter Syria's use of chemical weapons.
Russia insists there's no evidence that chemical weapons were used.
Attack on Syria
The USS Monterey fires a Tomahawk missile toward a target in Syria early Saturday, April 14, 2018.
The Pentagon announced that the U.S. launched a total of 105 weapons against three targets - almost twice the number of missiles launched by the U.S. against a Syrian airbase in April 2017.
Damascus
A missile is seen crossing over Damascus, Syria, April 14, 2018.
Damascus
A missile descends onto Damascus, Syria, during an airstrike in this still image obtained from social media video, April 14, 2018.
French Forces
In his photo taken Friday, April 13, 2018, a French Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft is prepared for airstrikes on Syria, at Saint Dizier airbase, eastern France.
French Forces
A Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft prepares to take off.
A Syrian military statement said the U.S., Britain and France fired 110 missiles during a joint attack on targets in Damascus and outside the capital.
British Forces
A Royal Air Force Tornado taxis before taking off. Four RAF Tornadoes, supported by a Voyager aircraft, were launched April 14, 2018 from RAF Akrotiri, on the island of Cyrpus, to conduct a precision strike on Syrian installations involved in the use of chemical weapons.
British Prime Minister Theresa May said Russia had thwarted diplomatic efforts to halt President Assad's use of poison gas, leaving no option but force.
British Forces
A Royal Air Force Tornado takes off from RAF Akrotiri.
The British element of the joint action launched Storm Shadow missiles at a military facility, a former missile base, approximately 15 miles west of Homs, where the regime is assessed to keep chemical weapon precursors stockpiled in breach of Syria's obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Damascus
The Damascus sky lights up with missile fire as the U.S. launched an attack on Syria, targeting different parts of the capital, at approximately 4:00 a.m. local time, Saturday, April 14, 2018.
Damascus
Syria's capital was rocked by loud explosions.
Damascus
A scientific research lab in the Barzah district of Damascus appeared to have been completely destroyed. Footage from Syrian state TV showed smoke rising from piles of rubble. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Damascus
Damage of the Syrian Scientific Research Center, which was attacked during U.S., British and French military strikes aimed at punishing President Bashar Assad for a suspected chemical attack against civilians, in Barzah, Syria, Saturday, April 14, 2018.
Damascus
The Syrian Scientific Research Center in Barzah, Damascus, Syria, April 14, 2018.
Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, said Saturday that the U.S.-led airstrikes have dealt "a very serious blow" to Assad's chemical weapons program.
Damascus
Aftermath of the missile strike upon the Barzah Scientific Research Facility.
A Syrian military statement said that, in all, 110 missiles were fired by American, British and French forces, and that most of them were shot down or derailed. Russia's military claimed Syrian air defense units downed 71 out of 103 cruise missiles launched by the U.S. and its allies.
Lt. Gen. McKenzie, meanwhile, stated, "We are confident that all of our missiles reached their targets."