RUSSIA has warned it is "one step from war" over Syria - but Donald Trump's administration has hit back, saying they would be prepared to carry out another airstrike in the wake of a 59-missile blitz on the Shayrat airfield.
Russia's Prime Minister gave the stark warning to the US over its revenge bombing in Syria, with Vladimir Putin sending out the nation's Black Sea Fleet’s frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, to the Syrian port city of Tartus in the Mediterranean in response, according to Russian news agency Tass.
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This handout from the Office of the Secretary of DefenCe shows a battlefield damage assessment image of Shayrat AirfieldCredit: EPA
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This satellite image shows damaged and destroyed aircraft shelters on the airbase near Homs in SyriaCredit: AP:Associated Press
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The images have been released after a US envoy to the UN warned America might carry out further action in SyriaCredit: EPA
Russian PM Dmitri Medvedev said the strikes were illegal and had been “one step away from military clashes with Russia”.
Relations with Washington had been “completely ruined”, he added, saying: "This military action is a clear indication of the US president's extreme dependency on the views of the Washington establishment, the one that the new president strongly criticised in his inauguration speech."
President Trump can be seen being briefed by video link at his Mar-a-Lago resort with his secretary of state Rex Tillerson on his leftCredit: AP:Associated Press
Observers in Syria have said the Al-Sharyat Air Base was "almost completely destroyed" by the 1000lb warheads dropped by US forces.
The strike, on a Syrian airbase suspected of storing chemical weapons, is said to have destroyed 20 planes, a dozen aircraft hangars and a fuel depot as the runway was heavily bombarded.
Four children are said to be among nine civilians killed in the US attack, according to a Syrian state news agency.
The missiles were fired from US destroyers some 150 miles away in the Mediterranean Sea.
The US leader has since tweeted, writing: "Congratulations to our great military men and women for representing the United States, and the world, so well in the Syria attack."
Since the US retaliation, the Syrian city of Khan Sheikhoun, targeted in the chemical attack on Tuesday, was again hit by airstrikes, activists have claimed.
At least one woman was killed and three others were injured, with it not yet clear who conducted the strike.
Russia, which has hundreds of military troops on the ground in Syria targeting rebel-held areas, had previously announced it would strengthen Assad's regime and help shoot down enemy warplanes in the wake of the US strike.
It also mocked the "extremely low" effectiveness of Trump's attack, claiming just 23 of the 59 cruise missiles fired from US Navy destroyers had hit their target.
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The Russian Navy's frigate Admiral Grigorovich sails in the Bosphorus on its way to the Mediterranean SeaCredit: Reuters
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Pictures appear to show the aftermath of the US missile attackCredit: Instagram
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Rubble can be seen strewn across the area in the aftermathCredit: Instagram
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President Donald Trump said the US had to act after the Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad launched the 'horrible chemical weapons attack' on innocent civiliansCredit: AP:Associated Press
But the Russian Defence Ministry admitted it was unclear where 36 other missiles had landed with videos and photos showing Syrian aircraft shelters partially or fully collapsed and with the black scorch marks on the walls.
Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said: "Initial indications are that this strike has severely damaged or destroyed Syrian aircraft and support infrastructure and equipment at Shayrat Airfield, reducing the Syrian government's ability to deliver chemical weapons."
She said: "We are prepared to do more. But we hope that will not be necessary."
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Unverified footage apparently shows moment US hit a Syrian airbaseCredit: Instagram / evgeny.poddubny
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The Pentagon has released footage of missiles being launched from US Navy ships, targeted at a Syrian airfieldCredit: Getty Images
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An image purportedly from the town of Al-Sha'irat showing smoke rising from the airbase where the attack took placeCredit: twitter
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This satellite image provided by DigitalGlobe shows an image captured on April 7 of destroyed building on the southeast side of the Shayrat air base in SyriaCredit: AP:Associated Press
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The airbase was damaged after a missile strike from the USCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Russian footage broadcast the damage caused on the ground of the Syrian airbaseCredit: Sky News
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Russia called the attack an 'aggression' and said it will damage its relations with AmericaCredit: Sky News
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The Syrian army earlier said the US missile strike on its airbase killed six soldiers
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The strikes hit the government-controlled Shayrat air base
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Syrian state media shows footage of blood splatters on the floor of the army base
World leaders had praised the US' response to the chemical attacks, with Sir Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, confirming Britain had been given notice of the strikes, but was not asked to get involved.
He added: "I hope Russia will learn from what happened last night and use its influence over Assad."
The US ordered 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles to be launched at Shayrat military base near Homs, in the country’s westCredit: Getty Images
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A US-launched missile heads for the al-Shayrat military airfield near Homs in Syria on Thursday night where it caused severe damage to military aircraft and weaponsCredit: Reuters
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US blasted a Syrian air base with a barrage of cruise missiles in fiery retaliation for this week's gruesome chemical weapons attack against civiliansCredit: AP:Associated Press
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US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) fires a tomahawk land attack missile in Mediterranean Sea which US Defense Department said was a part of cruise missile strike against Syria on April 7Credit: Reuters
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Smoke rises from the deck of the USS Porter as the United States blasted a Syrian air baseCredit: Getty Images
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A map shows the location of Shayrat Airfield in Syria, the site of US missile strikes this morning
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The US Defense Department released aerial images of Shayrat airfield near the western city of HomsCredit: Digitalglobe
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A combination image released by the US Department of Defense which they say shows the impact crater associated with April 4, 2017 chemical weapons allegationCredit: Reuters
Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Turkey, Italy, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Japan also joined the list of nations that backed the US missile strikes.
French President Francois Hollande said the US response is what France asked for in 2013 after a previous "chemical attack" in Syria.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the attack was understandable given the Syrian people's suffering.
She said: "The attack of the United States is understandable given the dimension of the war crimes, given the suffering of innocent people, and given the blockage in the UN Security Council."
Saudi Arabia said in a statement: "A responsible source at the foreign ministry expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's full support for the American military operations on military targets in Syria, which came as a response to the Syrian regime's use of chemical weapons against innocent civilians."
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Horrific images show piles of dead children after the alleged chemical attackCredit: AP:Associated Press
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A devastated father has shared photos of him holding his deceased twins in his arms after they were killed in a suspected chemical gas attack in SyriaCredit: Alaa AlYoussef
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Alyousef also lost his wife, two brothers, nephews and many other family members in the attackCredit: AP:Associated Press
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A Syrian boy is gasping for air in the aftermath of a suspected chemical attack in Syria's Idlib provinceCredit: YouTube / Smart News
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A child is treated in hospital after the attack in Khan SheikhounCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Syrian opposition activists described the attack as among the worst in the country's six-year civil warCredit: AP:Associated Press
But Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon flagged concerns, saying that the US stepping in could increase "uncertainty and unpredictability" in the Syrian conflict.
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland, she said: "What I understand is the instinct to do something in the face of the quite horrific chemical attack carried out by the Assad regime earlier this week. That regime is completely beyond the pale.
"So there is in these circumstances I think always a sense of wanting to hit back and to do something.
"My concern about air strikes is and always has been that they are no substitute for a real plan for peace and what we need to see in Syria is an end to the conflict, the multifaceted, horrible conflict that is under way in that country."
Meanwhile, Iran "strongly condemned" the US air strikes on its ally, Syria, according to Tehran's state news agency.
Turkish deputy prime minister, Numan Kurtulmuş, said he hoped the operation would contribute to achieving peace in Syria and said the international community needed to maintain pressure on Assad.
A spokesperson for the Polish government said: "The United States for sure are a guarantor of world peace and order. And there are situations when you need to react, situations when you need to take actual action. We have seen the abuses of the Syrian regime over the last years - no one had reacted to that."
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Trump said Assad 'choked out the lives of helpless men, women and children'Credit: AP:Associated Press
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Assad is facing international condemnation for the Syrian military's alleged use of chemical weapons in an airstrike in a rebel held area in Idlib province on April 4Credit: EPA
Speaking to the nation after launching the attack, Trump - who had earlier been meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jinping - said that the action was in response to the Assad's chemical massacre - for which the Syrian government has strongly denied responsibility.
Trump said: "Using a deadly nerve agent, Assad choked out the lives of helpless men, women and children. It was a slow and brutal death for so many.
"Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack. No child of God should ever suffer such horror.
"Tonight, I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched.
"It is in this vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons."
Using a deadly nerve agent, Assad choked out the lives of helpless men, women and children. It was a slow and brutal death for so many
Donald Trump
The President added that there could be "no dispute" Syria used banned chemical weapons and he attacked previous attempts to bring Assad into line - which he said had "failed very dramatically".
Trump said the resulting impact of Assad's rage had worsened a refugee crisis and destabilised the region "threatening the United States and its allies".
The President said: "Tonight, I call on all civilised nations to join us in seeking to end the slaughter and bloodshed in Syria, and also to end terrorism of all kinds and all types.";
Trump's statement on air strikes in full
My fellow Americans, On Tuesday, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad launched a horrible chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians using a deadly nerve agent.
Assad choked out the lives of innocent men, women and children. It was a slow and brutal death for so many. Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack. No child of god should ever suffer such horror.
Tonight I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched.
It is in this vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons.
There can be no dispute that Syria used banned chemical weapons, violated its obligations under the chemical weapons convention, and ignored the urging of the UN security council.
Years of previous attempts at changing Assad’s behaviour have all failed and failed very dramatically.
As a result the refugee crisis continues to deepen and the region continues to destabilise, threatening the United States and its allies.
Tonight, I call on all civilised nations to join us in seeking to end the slaughter and bloodshed in Syria, and also to end terrorism of all kinds and all types.
We ask for God’s wisdom as we face the challenge of our very troubled world.
We pray for the lives of the wounded and for the souls of those who have passed.
And we hope that as long as America stands for justice that peace and harmony will in the end prevail. Goodnight and god bless America and the entire world. Thank you.
America's intervention comes after the UK led calls for diplomatic action over Assad's horrific use of chemical weapons.
Britain also played down the prospect of military action.
Following the bombings, Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said that the strike was a "proportional response to Assad's heinous act".
The spokesman said that the Shayrat Airfield was used to store chemical weapons and Syrian air forces and he revealed that America intelligence believed aircraft from the base carried out the chemical weapons attack.
He added: "The strike was intended to deter the regime from using chemical weapons again."
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Trump yesterday met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the tycoon’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida before the attack took placeCredit: Getty Images
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Trump said Assad "choked out the lives of men, women and children"Credit: Getty Images
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Trump spoke to the nation after the American strike, as he revealed he wanted to stop the spread of chemical weaponsCredit: Getty Images
The Pentagon spokesman also revealed that Russian forces were notified in advance of the attack and that early indications showed the bombing had damaged or destroyed Ayrian aircraft "reducing the Syrian Government's ability to deliver chemical weapons".
He added: "The use of chemical weapons against innocent people will not be tolerated."
The sudden US military action against the Assad regime marks a stunning development in Syria's brutal, six-year conflict and a sudden about-face for Trump.
It came despite a warning from Russia of potential "negative consequences" if Washington strikes Syria.
"All responsibility if military action occurs will be on the shoulders of those who initiated such a doubtful tragic enterprise," Russian Ambassador to the UN Vladimir Safronkov said.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had earlier revealed the United States was considering an "appropriate response" to the attack in Khan Sheikhun in rebel-held Idlib province, which killed at least 86 people, including 27 children.
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US ambassador Nikki Haley threatened military action against the Syrian regime during a UN hearing and held up pictures of babies killed in the gas attack
The White House official said the United States assessed that the Assad regime used a chemical nerve agent consistent with sarin in Tuesday's attacks.
“It's a serious matter, it requires a serious response,” Tillerson said.
He added the chemical attack “violates all previous UN resolutions, violates international norms and long-held agreements”.
Trump had earlier suggested Assad would have to leave power while jetting to Florida on Air Force One to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
When asked if Assad should go, Trump said: “I think what happened in Syria is a disgrace to humanity, and he’s there (Assad), and I guess he’s running things, so I guess something should happen.”
“What Assad did is terrible. What happened in Syria is truly one of the egregious crimes and it shouldn’t have happened. And it shouldn’t be allowed to happen.”
When pressed on whether the US would take military action, he replied: “I don’t want to say what I’m going to be doing with respect to Syria.”
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A volunteer rescuer receives oxygen after a suspected gas attack in SyriaCredit: Reuters
It came as US ambassador Nikki Haley threatened military action as world fury mounted over the sickening nerve gas attack.
In a highly-charged emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, Ms Haley held up graphic images of babies killed in the atrocity - some still in their nappies - insisting: “Look at those pictures”.
She mounted a withering attack on Russia for propping up tyrannical President Bashar al-Assad, saying: “How many more children have to die before Russia cares?”
Ms Haley told the session: “When the United Nations consistently fails in its duty to act collectively, there are times in the life of states that we are compelled to take our own action”.
Last night White House press secretary Sean Spicer said the strikes were the result of a “72-hour evolution” in thinking by the Trump administration.
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A child is treated in hospital after the attack in Khan SheikhounCredit: Getty Images
Spicer said Mr Trump had first heard about the gas attack in Syria at his daily briefing on Tuesday morning. He decided to retaliate on Thursday afternoon.
That came as he entertained his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during a formal dinner at Mar-a-Lago. US Defence Secretary General James Mattis rang his UK counterpart Michael Fallon to warn him the raid plan was being fine-tuned.
He called back later to say Mr Trump had given it the green light.
Explaining the President’s turnaround, Spicer said: “In his first 70 days the President was very taken by this. It was very disturbing and tragic and moving to him.
“He had a very deliberative process of asking his national security team to develop options.” Asked if the actions could spark World War Three, Spicer added: “The world community understands that the US acted appropriately.”
DEADLY CHEMICAL WEAPON: What are the effects of nerve agent sarin?
Doctors treating some of the victims in the suspected chemical attack in Syria said they had symptoms matching those caused by exposure to sarin.
Sarin is a deadly nerve agent used in chemical warfare.
It was banned by the chemical weapons convention. Sarin has similar harmful effects to certain kinds of insecticides (insect killers).
Some of the symptoms of sarin poisoning include: Difficulty breathing, foaming at the mouth, convulsions and paralysis.
Veteran Republican senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham said in a joint statement: “President Trump confronted a pivotal moment in Syria and took action.
“For that, he deserves the support of the American people.”
Democratic Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said: “Making sure Assad knows that when he commits such despicable atrocities he will pay a price is the right thing to do.” But others, even Republicans, criticised the President. Senator Rand Paul tweeted: “While we all condemn the atrocities in Syria, the US was not attacked.
“The President needs Congressional authorisation for military action as required by the Constitution.”
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Shocking images show the destruction at a hospital in Khan Sheikhun, Idlib, following the attackCredit: Getty Images
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Syrian emergency workers in protective masks hose down kids after the attack
In the horrific chemical attack on Tuesday traumatised witnesses told how birds fell from the sky during the chemical attack in Syria that left at least 100 dead.
Victims painted a horrific picture of the attack that left dozens of kids dead - as world leaders pinned the blame on Assad.
The airstrikes hit the town of Khan Sheikhoun, in the central province of Idlib, yesterday morning.
A young child was pictured being carried away from the affected areaCredit: Reuters
One Syrian rebel told : "All the pictures and all the witness accounts suggest as much.
"Bodies of children, women and men that don't show a drop of blood and everyone is suffocated - even birds fell from the sky, dead.
";If anyone in the world has any doubt, they should send their representatives here."
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Men in chemical suits are given oxygen after the suspected chemical attackCredit: Reuters
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said many of those killed died from suffocation and the effects of the gas.
The British-based group said 18 people died at first but the death toll later rose to 35 and now 100 - including 11 children.
The air strikes also wounded 400 others.
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Bodies fill a truck after 100 people were reported to have been killed in the gas attackCredit: Getty Images
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The attack reportedly caused people to choke or faintCredit: Reuters
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One little girl was given an oxygen mask by paramedicsCredit: Getty Images
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Doctors treating the victims said they suffered symptoms matching those caused by exposure to the deadly nerve agent sarinCredit: Getty Images
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Hundreds were wounded in the horrific attackCredit: Getty Images
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A hospital in the rebel-held town was targetedCredit: Getty Images
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One hospital in Khan Sheikhun was completely destroyedCredit: Getty Images
Strikes were his warning to world
By Mark Almond, Professor of Modern History
PRESIDENT Trump’s devastating cruise missile strike sent shock waves around the world.
Pretty much everyone had misunderstood his “America First” slogan.
They thought his USA would pull in its horns and retreat from the world. But he wants the US to reshape the world in its own interests, according to its values, using its immense power.
He saw an opportunity to put his mark on world affairs early on in his presidency. Syria’s Assad was the recipient of an explosive message meant for North Korea, Iran, Russia and China too.
He ordered the action then told his allies in Europe and rivals like Russia and China about it. Diplomatic it ain’t.
But Trump is sending us all a message. Get on-side or take the consequences. Trump sees American power as something to be used in overwhelming force. His missile salvo told the rest of the world that he was not going to talk tough and then back off.
He wanted the world, as well as Syria, to be shocked. By choosing the moment when China’s President was visiting for tough trade talks, Trump put Beijing on the spot. The fact that the Chinese leader didn’t walk out showed that China puts getting on with Trump first even when it doesn’t like what he does.
Trump wanted North Korea’s nuclear-obsessed dictator Kim Jong-Un to get that message. He reminds me of Richard Nixon.
He was as deeply disliked by the Washington establishment as Trump. But he was the shrewdest geo-political operator of his day. Like Nixon, Trump is willing to be ruthless and yet not afraid to talk to rivals.
He will use force as a bargaining chip. If Russia and China don’t like it, they will lump it if offered something behind the scenes for letting Trump settle with regimes he really dislikes.
But Vladimir Putin is sending more weapons to Syria to show whose side he is on.
Washington warned Moscow of the attack so that any Russians there could scarper. And Trump will welcome Putin’s outrage at the bombing.
It shuts up claims he is some kind of Kremlin stooge. Trump and Putin are showmen and hate being upstaged. Friday’s raid showed he is unpredictable when provoked.
He likes it that way. He can live with the uncertainty. But can the world rest easy when unpredictable chancers like Jong-Un could rile Trump at any moment?
Only Trump knows the answer to that.
For more on this story listen to Penny Smith from 8am
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