Satellite images taken before and after the US led airstrikes in Syria show the dramatic impact on the area; with some buildings completely destroyed.
The original images were taken on the Friday prior to the strike, with the second set of images taken on the Saturday following the strike at 4am local time.
Two sites in Homs, the Him Shinshar Chemical Weapons Bunker and the Shinshar Chemical Weapons Facility, appear to be completely obliterated.
The third site, the Bazrah Research Center in Damascus, also shows signs of serious destruction; with thick clouds of smoke billowing overhead. This had been the main target and was reportedly struck by 76 missiles.
A reported 105 missiles were launched in total during the attack and there have been three reported civilian injuries however no fatalities have been confirmed.
The Pentagon claims the strike has set back the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons program by ‘years.’
Find out more about the air strike below:
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Speaking at a Washington DC press conference, Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie made the following statement according to the Department of Defence:
This is going to set the program back for years. We attacked the heart of the Syrian chemical weapons program,
Syrian news sources have claimed up to 71 of the missiles were brought down by defence systems, however Lieutenant General McKenzie has dismissed these claims.
Lieutenant General McKenzie has also described how Syrian forces only fired once the US air strike was complete.
He has suggested how any reported casualties could be due to this counter attack:
Syria shot 40 large missiles into the air using ballistic trajectory, without guidance. When we shoot iron into the air without guidance, it’s going to come down somewhere.
Following the air strike, Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Dana White has spoken about the US government’s commitment to resolving the Syrian civil war peacefully:
Our goal has not changed. Our goal in Syria is to defeat ISIS… but Assad’s actions were beyond the pale.
We do not seek conflict in Syria but we cannot allow such grievous violations of international law.
We will not stand by passively while Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, ignores international law,
Tweeting in the aftermath of the attack, President Donald Trump said:
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!
Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticised the air strike, which some believe could make the ongoing humanitarian crisis even more severe.
President Putin has stated how the US should have waited for an inspection from the international chemical weapons watchdog group before carrying out the strike.
Russia proposed the Security Council pass a resolution condemning the action. However, this resolution was not passed after only Russia, China and Bolivia voted in favour.
Vice President Mike Pence delivered the following message at a press conference:
Our message to Russia is: “You’re on the wrong side of history.”
It’s time for Russia to get the message President Trump delivered last night: “You’re known by the company you keep.”
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.