Syria: Chemical attack followed by USA retaliation

Written by Super User 07 Apr 2017
Syria: Chemical attack followed by USA retaliation

Fifty-eight people have died and dozens have suffered in a chemical attack in Syria. Assad denied using any such weapons. Putin insisted Russia was not in the vicinity. Observers in Syria point the finger at it being a Syrian strike. Syria first used chemicals in 2013. It prompted purposeful discussion that came to nothing. Tuesday’s attack provoked President Trump to react within 48 hours - a major shift in America’s foreign policy. On Thursday night the USA launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at the Syrian airbase where the warplanes that carried out the chemical attacks were based. The UK knew in advance of the airstrike but was not involved. Russia knew in advance and were seen moving vehicles out of the area. They are calling the strike a violation of international law. Since the USA gave Russia and the UK warnings that a strike would happen and where it would happen, it was not a surprise military action. Whether it will be interpreted as an outright military act or a political strike, we should indeed pray into this fluid and tense situation.

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  • Pray: that the USA will not slip into ‘mission creep’ with boots on the ground; for Russia to continue using communication avenues between themselves and the USA; for the UN to be wise as they contend with Russian vetoes on foreign policy changes. (Jer.29:11)