Live

Syria strikes: What sites were targeted by US, UK and France?

US and allies launch attack on ‘chemical weapon sites’ in Syria. Here’s what we know about the sites targeted.

The first strike destroyed the Scientific Research Centre outside Damascus [Omar Sanadiki/Reuters]
Published On 14 Apr 2018

The US, UK and France launched early morning strikes on Saturday against targets in Syria in response to a suspected chemical weapons attack in the former rebel stronghold of Douma last weekend.

James Mattis, Pentagon chief, said the strikes had three targets in Syria as part of an effort to “destroy the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons research, development and production capabilities”.

Here is what we know so far about the targeted sites:

1. Research centre in Damascus’ Barzeh district

2. Weapons storage centre near Homs

3. Command post and storage facility near Homs

Citing a regional military alliance that supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Reuters reported the targeting of the al-Shirai airbase in al-Dimas, west of Damascus near the Lebanese border. US officials have not commented on the reports. 

According to Reuters, attacks were also reported in Masyaf, about 170km north of Damascus, arms depots in the eastern Qalamoun region northeast of the capital, the Kisweh area south of Damascus and a site in the Qasyoun hills overlooking Damascus.