UK, US and France conduct precision strike in Syria

A Tornado GR4 from 903 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW), based out of Royal Air Force Akrotiri. Credit: Crown copyright.

The British Royal Air Force (RAF), in conjunction with the US and French Allies, has conducted a precision strike on chemical weapon facility in Syria.

The Him Sinshar chemical weapons facility that has been attacked is located at a distance from any known concentrations of civilian habitation.

Located nearly 15 miles west of Homs, the military facility was a former missile base and is where the Syrian regime keeps chemical weapon precursors stockpiled in breach of the country’s obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The strike has been carried out in response to the chemical weapon attack conducted by Syrian leader Bashar Assad against his own people.

On 7 April, the Syrian regime is claimed to have used the banned weapons in Douma, which killed up to 75 people, including young children.

The RAF deployed four Tornado GR4 combat aircraft and four Typhoon FG4 aircraft in support of the strike.

The jets launched eight Storm Shadow missiles at the Him Sinshar chemical weapons storage site.

Scientific analysis had been carried out to determine the best location to target the Storm Shadows missiles in order to optimise the destruction of the stockpiled chemicals, in addition to minimising any risks of contamination to the surrounding area.

UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “The reprehensible use of chemical weapons in Douma is further evidence of the Syrian regime’s appalling cruelty against its own people.

“We will not stand by whilst innocent civilians, including women and children, are killed and made to suffer.

“The international community has responded decisively with legal and proportionate military force.

“Let these united actions send a clear message to the regime – the use of chemical weapons is categorically unacceptable and you will be held to account.”

The use of chemical weapons has been banned since their use during World War I.