President Donald Trump praised the U.S., British, and French militaries Saturday morning after strikes were carried out Friday night in response to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s use of chemical weapons.
A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2018
So proud of our great Military which will soon be, after the spending of billions of fully approved dollars, the finest that our Country has ever had. There won’t be anything, or anyone, even close!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2018
The coordinated strikes included the use of British, French, and U.S. air and naval power targeting three of Assad’s chemical weapons facilities. Trump announced the strikes Friday night saying of Assad’s attack, “These are not the actions of a man; they are crimes of a monster instead.”
Pentagon spokesman Dana White told reporters Saturday morning all targets were successful.
105 total weapons used against 3 targets
US assets: 3 ships, 2 B-1 bombers, & 1 submarine
From Red Sea: USS Monterey and USS Laboon
From northern Persian Gulf: USS Higgins
From Med: USS John Warner (sub)Lt Gen McKenzie says allies overwhelmed Syrian air defense system
— Elizabeth McLaughlin (@Elizabeth_McLau) April 14, 2018
The strikes specifically targeted Assad for killing dozens of civilians in an April 7 strike in Douma, Syria.
British Prime Minister Theresa May similarly declared “this is not about intervening in a civil war. It is not about regime change. It is about a limited and targeted strike that does not further escalate tensions in the region and that does everything possible to prevent civilian casualties.” French President Emanuel Macron simply said “The red line set by France in May 2017 has been crossed.”