US, UK, France Launch Attacks on Syria

Trump threatens Russia and Iran, invokes WW1

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On Friday evening, President Trump announced that he has ordered the US military to attack Syria’s government. The attacks, which will be participated in by British and French forces, will focus on strikes against Syrian chemical capabilities, including production facilities.

British Prime Minister Theresa May offered a similar statement shortly thereafter, saying the attacks would continue to degrade Syria.

Though Trump indicated the attacks primarily against Syria, he also went after Russia and Iran in the speech, declaring them to be responsible for the company that they keep. Trump further said Russia was “directly responsible” for the alleged chemical attack on Saturday.

The statement comes two days after President Trump, mocking Russia for saying they would intercept US missiles attacking Syria, told them to “get ready.” Trump’s Friday comments suggested this may be a protracted attack, saying America’s “righteous power” would establish a deterrent to chemical attacks.

Trump has been talking up the attack all week, while Defense Secretary James Mattis had been resisting the effort, expressing concern that a US strike would lead to a direct war with Russia. The rest of the cabinet was said to support the strike.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.