The Russian Defense Ministry on Monday said that Israel was responsible for the airstrikes at a Syrian military base, and that Israel fired eight missiles at the government base.
BREAKING: Russian Defense Ministry says Israel was behind airstrike in Syria, fired 8 missiles at a Syrian government air base.
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 9, 2018
The airstrikes killed 14 people, including fighters from Iran, according to a conflict monitoring group, The New York Times reported.
The strikes came one day after a suspected chemical gas attack near Damascus in Syria, where dozens of people have been killed.
President Donald Trump tweeted about the chemical attack on Sunday, and also about Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, warning of a big price to pay for the attack.
“Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria,” Trump tweeted on Saturday.
Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad.”
Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018
“Big price to pay,” he added. “Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!”
….to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018
The attacks come during an uneasy time in Syria, and also as President Trump carefully navigates exactly what to do in the country, where there are approximately 2,000 U.S. troops currently stationed.
President Trump recently told U.S. military leaders to begin making plans to withdraw troops from Syria, but a senior administration official told NBC that Trump reluctantly agreed to keep troops in Syria for an unspecified amount of time in order to defeat ISIS.
The White House had also issued a statement: “The military mission to eradicate ISIS in Syria is coming to a rapid end, with ISIS being almost completely destroyed. The United States and our partners remain committed to eliminating the small ISIS presence in Syria that our forces have not already eradicated. We will continue to consult with our allies and friends regarding future plans. We expect countries in the region and beyond, plus the United Nations, to work toward peace and ensure that ISIS never re-emerges.”
The President has said more recently that he wants to remove troops from Syria, but this counters reports that the military is considering actually sending additional troops to Syria.
Advisors have told the President that it is not wise to hastily withdraw troops from Syria.
This month, an American soldier supporting Operation Inherent Resolve died after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his patrol in Syria.
