New Airstrikes on Syria

A day after US President Donald Trump warned Syria of “strong response”, is followed by an airstrike on Syria’s Tiyas Military Airbase (T4) by fighter jets, and cruise missiles in which many killed and several injured. There are also reports that the US warships are launching missile attack in other parts of Syria from Mediterranean Sea.

Syrian State media has confirmed the air strikes on the airbase, which also claims that Syrian air defense has also intercepted “eight missiles”. The strikes are targeted at T4 airbase in Homs, near Palmyra. The T4 airbase is an Iranian outpost in central Syria, part of the corridor from Syria to Iraq.

But US has denied launching a missile attack on Syria. “At this time, the Department of Defense is not conducting air strikes in Syria” the Pentagon said in a statement.” However, “we continue to closely watch the situation and support the ongoing diplomatic efforts to hold those who use chemical weapons, in Syria and otherwise, accountable.”

Though it is not officially confirmed who has launched the series of airstrikes on Syria, several points put the point of finger towards US and France as both these countries have reacted sharply on Syrian government and Russia after a suspected chemical attack on Douma, a town which is still under the control of the rebels.

More than 70 people were killed two days ago in an alleged chemical weapon attack on Douma, in the Eastern Ghouta region. Most of the victims were children and women. Whereas more than 1000 have suffered from the effects of the alleged attack. According to sources a helicopter drops a barrel bomb. The bomb is said to be contained with Sarin, a toxic nerve agent.

Douma is the only town in Eastern Ghouta, which is under the control of rebels. US has accused Russia and Syria were behind the attack, whereas both Syria and Russia deny a chemical attack took place and have reached an evacuation deal with the rebels who hold Douma. So far more than 1600 people were killed and 1000 injured in Eastern Ghouta.

In the past also Syrian government had used chemical weapons against the rebels in the country. Rocket with the nerve agent Sarin were fired on the rebel captured areas of the Eastern Ghouta, which killed hundreds of people including civilian in August 2013.

Again in April 2017, more than 80 people were killed in a Sarin attack on the rebel and opposition-held town of Khan Sheikhoun followed by missile attack by US.

After this the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, conducted a joint inquiry on the chemical attacks, which held the Syrian government responsible.

This time US President Donald Trump has accused Syria of using chemical weapon against children and woman and branded Syria’s President Assad an ‘animal’ and also warned that he and his allies Russia and Iran are going to pay a big price for the attack.

In his tweet US President Donald Trump said, “Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!”

Same day, US President Donald Trump and France President Emmanuel Macron has also issued a joint statement where they have clearly mentioned to coordinate a strong, joint response against the alleged attack in Douma.

In the past US also has initiated such attacks on Syria. Exactly one year before in April 2017, US have conducted such an airstrike on Syria but in a large scale. US fired 59 Tomahawk missiles at Syria’s Shayrat Military Airfield in response to a similar chemical weapons attack on a rebel held town, Khan Sheikhoun by the Syrian government with the support of Russia.

In Syria so far 353,900 people were killed, including 106,000 civilians till March 2018 and the war still continues with the Syrian Government and Syrian President Assad with Russia and Iran on one side and US, Turkey and Saudi Arabia on the other side. In the war between the countries, innocent civilians, mainly the children are losing their life.