President Donald Trump ordered targeted military action in the country, following a chemical weapons attack that reportedly left dozens of citizens dead. Russia, which has backed the government of Bashar Assad, has joined Damascus in denying an attack even took place — even though U.S. authorities have declared it did with near certainty.
Here are the rolling updates (All times GMT):
1800 GMT
The U.N. Security Council rejects a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of the “aggression” by the United States and its allies against Syria.
1700 GMT
Vice President Mike Pence say the United States did the morally right thing when it attacked Syrian chemical weapons facilities in retaliation for an attack on civilians.
Pence is crediting the strong leadership of President Donald Trump and U.S. allies for conducting what he says was a successful strike with no reported civilian casualties.
1600 GMT
Emergency meeting of the Security Council at the invitation of Russia to discuss military action on Syria now taking place
1300 GMT
Turkey’s Erdogan welcomes Syria air strikes in response to Assad’s ‘inhumane attacks’
0850 GMT
French Foreign minister: Air raids have achieved their targets, and all planes have returned to their bases.
0830 GMT
Merkel expresses support for air strikes
The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has expressed support for the Syria air strikes. calling them “necessary and appropriate” to warn President Assad against further use of chemical weapons.
0815 GMT
UK PM Theresa May speaks on airstrikes in Syria
Military action in Syria was ‘right and legal’: British PM May
PM May defends not consulting Parliament over air strikes
Theresa May said she will make a statement on the air strikes in Parliament on Monday but defended her decision to take action.
She said: “I believe it was right to take the action that we have done in the timescale that we have done in relation to the as
0805 GMT
Russia military says Syrian air defense units downed 71 out of 103 cruise missiles launched by #US and its allies.
0800 GMT
Russian President Vladimir #Putin said in a statement that the strike on #Syria by the #UnitedStates and its allies was “an act of aggression” against a sovereign state and #Russia strongly condemns it
0 comments on “Situation Report: UN Security Council rejects a Russian resolution”