WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump says the United States has "launched precision strikes" on targets associated with Syrian chemical weapons program.
Trump spoke from the White House Friday night. He says a "combined operation" with France and the United Kingdom is underway.
Trump says that last Saturday, Syrian President Bashar Assad deployed chemical weapons in what was a "significant escalation in a pattern of chemical weapons use by that very terrible regime."
According to reports from Damascus, the capitol of Syria, loud explosions were lighting up the skies as President Trump announced the airstrikes.
According to Defense Secretary James Mattis there are "no reports of losses" on part of US, allies in Syria strike and no additional strikes on Syria are planned.
Several Massachusetts representatives posted about the strikes on Twitter.
Chemical attacks in Syria are horrifying, and a clear violation of international law. The world must hold Assad accountable for his violence against the Syrian people – and the US should be part of a planned, coordinated multilateral effort.(1/2)
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) April 14, 2018
The Constitution gives Congress the power to authorize military action. If @realDonaldTrump wants to expand American military involvement in Syria's civil war, he must seek approval from Congress – & provide a comprehensive strategy with clear goals & a plan to achieve them.(2/2)
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) April 14, 2018
Attacks such as this on another country without congressional authorization are unconstitutional, and they push the United States closer to what could be an interminable, all-out conflict in Syria. My full statement:https://t.co/IQMGTbcwiT
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) April 14, 2018
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