| Author (Person) | Negrier-Pascaud, Mathilde |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Cardiff EDC |
| Series Details | April 2018 |
| Publication Date | 19/04/2018 |
| Content Type | News |
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Background and further information: The United States, France and the United Kingdom conducted on 14 April 2018 a series of airstrikes in Syria, targeting three locations which belong to the Syria Scientific Centre (CRS). The operation was undertaken to affect the country's chemical weapons capability, and the decision to strike was taken following a suspected chemical attack allegedly carried out by the Syrian regime on 7 April in Douma, a suburb of the capital Damascus, killing an estimated 70 people. By bombing these sites, the Western countries vowed to dissuade the Syrian regime from orchestrating other chemical attacks. While these bombings were meant to be a one-time occasion, US President Donald Trump later stated that more attacks could happen if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad insisted in using chemical weapons. The strikes caused a mixed response in the United States. Mr Trump was praised by Republicans and criticised by Democrats, who believed permission from Congress should have been sought beforehand. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Theresa May decided not to seek parliamentary approval for the intervention. Some argued the decision to strike alongside the United States was taken with an aim of strengthening the ties between the two countries as the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. Ms May might have also decided to reciprocate the support received from the US in its dispute with Russia over the Skripal case. As for France, President Emmanuel Macron showed opposition to the use of chemical weapons since his election in 2017. Despite his close relationship with Mr Trump, he vowed to work on a peace deal with the region and reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia, an ally of the Syrian government, called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. At the meeting, a Russian resolution condemning the strikes was rejected. |
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| Countries / Regions | France, Middle East, United Kingdom, United States |
