U.S. & allies launch 'precision strikes' on Syria
- by Leona Burton
- in World Media
- — Apr 15, 2018
WASHINGTON/TOKYO- US President Donald Trump said the United States would only join the Trans Pacific Partnership, a multinational trade deal his administration walked away from a year ago, if it offered "substantially better" terms than those provided under previous negotiations.
The U.S., United Kingdom and France carried out the strikes in the early morning hours on targets that U.S. officials said were linked to a Syrian government chemical weapons program.
Trump chastised Syria's two main allies, Russia and Iran, for their roles in supporting "murderous dictators", and noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had guaranteed a 2013 worldwide agreement for Assad to get rid of all of his chemical weapons.
A little after 8:00 p.m. Friday, the president announced precision strikes are now underway and are aimed at Syria's chemical weapons.
President Trump hints at re-entering the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, pending a new deal.
Another criticism of the attack from lawmakers was the lack of a long-term strategy for the U.S.in Syria.
More news: Worth Watching Stock Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW)The administration said previously any response Assad's alleged chemical weapons use would be done in consultation with allies. The only remaining chemical weapons caches in Syria were in territories held by the Western-backed militants, such as Jaysh al-Islam (Army of Islam), who controlled Douma until their surrender on Monday.
Dunford said there were no early reports of USA losses, although there were some surface-to-air missiles shot by Syrian defense forces once the missile attack started. It authorized use of force against anyone involved in those attacks or related forces, and has been used to justify US military actions since then, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Turkey's foreign ministry said the airstrikes were "an appropriate response to the chemical attack".
According to Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford, the US did not notify Russian forces in Syria ahead of the strikes.
In 2013, President Putin and his government promised the world that they would guarantee the elimination of Syria's chemical weapons.
In another tweet today, he commented on Russian Federation and the U.S.'s dark relationship and said he wanted "all nations to work together". The strikes are over for now, but we connect to our Cha Sang-mi who's on the line for the latest on this still fluid situation.
More news: Vettel flies to pole as Hamilton struggles at Chinese Grand PrixThe British, the statement said, will keep working with the United States and France to determine an global response.
Japan Finance Minister Taro Aso also welcomed the US' decision to explore the possibility of rejoining the CPTPP. Officials who defy federal law on the basis of local and state autonomy seem to be resurrecting the Civil War-era "nullification doctrine" and states rights sovereignty claims that were rendered null and void by the Union victory in 1865.
The one-off missile strike in April 2017 targeted the airfield from which the Syrian aircraft had launched their gas attack.
While it will take some time for an ultimate decision to come down from the White House on TPP, Priest said the renewed interest is a positive sign for the shoe industry. The president said he will review proposals created to shield farmers from the impact of tariffs that will surely devastate American agriculture. "These are not the actions of a man".
This story is still developing, we will bring you more details as they become available.
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