With Syria strike Trump kept his word: Defense minister

By Yildiz Aktas

ANKARA (AA) - Ankara considers the U.S. missile strikes on a Syrian military base a “significant move,” Turkey’s defense minister told Anadolu Agency Friday.

“We especially consider Mr. Trump keeping his word and launching an operation [on the Syrian base] significant and meaningful," said Fikri Isik.

He said Turkey supports the U.S. military operation and called on the international community to stand united against Tuesday’s chemical attack by the Syrian regime that killed more than 100 civilians.

Early Friday the U.S. fired 59 Tomahawk missiles at Shayrat Airbase, which American officials believe was used to carry out the deadly chemical attack, the Pentagon confirmed.

The missiles were fired from two U.S. destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean and hit the airbase at approximately 3.45 a.m. Syrian local time Friday (0045GMT). Aircraft, hardened aircraft shelters, petroleum and logistical storage, ammunition supply bunkers, air defense systems, and radars were targeted, the Pentagon said.

On Tuesday, more than 100 civilians were reportedly killed and 500 others -- mostly children -- were injured in an attack carried out by the Assad regime warplanes in the town of Khan Shaykhun, Idlib province.

The Syrian regime has denied that it targeted the area with chemical weapons.

Last year, a UN-appointed investigation panel found that chemical weapons were used by Syrian regime forces in 2014 and 2015. No punitive measures were taken, however.