WASHINGTON — The NYPD says it is monitoring developments in Syria after the United States launched an airstrike on a Syrian air base in response to a chemical weapons attack.
We are monitoring the events developing in Syria pic.twitter.com/DR1TC1JMtt
— NYPDCounterterrorism (@NYPDCT) April 7, 2017
U.S. officials say about 60 Tomahawk missiles were launched from two warships across the Mediterranean Sea.
The airstrikes targeted a government-controlled air base around 4:40 a.m. Syrian time.
The Pentagon says the base was used to store chemical weapons.
It says measures were taken to avoid casualties.
They say the strike destroyed Syrian aircrafts and infrastructure that could be used for future chemical attacks.
Syrian state TV is calling the air strikes an act of aggression.
President Donald Trump indicated earlier this week he might change his mind about U.S. involvement in the Middle East and do something in response. He is calling on all civilized nations to join the U.S. in seeking to end the bloodshed in Syria and end terrorism.
"It is in the vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons," Trump said.
The airstrike came after the U.S. blamed the Syrian government and President Bashar al-Assad for the attack on Tuesday that killed more than 80 people, including 30 children.