President Donald Trump gave the green light to fire on Syria on Thursday, April 6, thereby signifying the U.S.'s first direct attack against the Assad regime since the Middle Eastern state fractured into civil war six years ago. It is also the very first attack waged against another country under the current U.S. administration.
Thursday's bombing comes days after a chemical attack against the Syrian civilian population took 86 lives in the war torn nation. President Assad was immediately accused of ordering the massacre, which was reported to have been responsible for killing 27 children, among the victims. There had been speculation that Trump would retaliate, after he publicly decried the act, stating that Assad had "crossed many, many lines." Following the U.S.'s forceful response, Trump assured U.S. citizens that the action was initiated in the name of "vital national security interests."
Approximately 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched, striking a military airfield. The USS Ross and the USS Porter Navy destroyers, which have been sitting in the Mediterranean, were responsible for carrying out the blitz.
Source: usatoday.com
