SYRIA CRISIS LIVE updates: Donald Trump launches airstrikes - WW3 tensions RISERUSSIA issued a stark warning to Donald Trump and Theresa May saying there would be 'consequences' after the US, UK and France led an air strike in Syria overnight. Here is the latest news and live updates as the crisis in Syria continues.
Russian news: People are investing in bomb shelters for WW3
British forces united with France and the United States to bombard Syrian regime weapon facilities near Damascus and Homs following the alleged chemical attack carried out by Bashar al-Assad’s forces last week.
Theresa May said the attacks were “limited and targeted” but were a warning to Russia.
She said: “The action that took place last night was an action which was focused on degrading and deterring the operational capability and the willingness of the Syrian regime to continue to use chemical weapons.
"There have been many instances when we have seen them using those chemical weapons.
"But I believe it should also be a message to others that the international community is not going to stand by and allow chemical weapons to be used with impunity."
The British prime minister has won backing from her senior ministers to take unspecified action with the United States and France to deter further use of chemical weapons.
However, Jeremy Corbyn said today the actions were "legally questionable" and parliamentary consent should have been sought.
Syrian state media said there had been a "violation of international law" and Russia has warned there will be "consequences".
Here are all the latest updates and news live on the developing conflict as it happens. All times in GMT.
Jeremy Corbyn accuses May of ‘waiting for instructions from Donald ...
Russia RAILS against Trump's Twitter: Relations can't depend tweetsSunday, April 159.55am: Russia warns of retaliation over attacksRussia’s Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov confirmed retaliation is on the cards after Saturday's bombing, with a bill proposing measures being introduced to the Russian Parliament this week.
He said: “I will not announce anything, we are working on that.”
9.34am: What happens next? Military experts give their views
Former head of the British Army Lord Dannatt said it was "wholly right" that Syria was subject to sanctions from the UK, US and France following the "appalling" use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime.
He added inaction would have made the West look weak.
Lord West, former head of the Royal Navy, also praised the West’s decision saying military action “had to be taken” and further action would be a “great big hammer” instead of a “pinprick”.
But Professor Michael Clarke, counter-terrorism and defence expert, warns that retaliation could come in the form of “cyber warfare” - within the next two to three weeks.
He said: ”I suspect Russia will choose not to respond in military terms. But cyber warfare is highly likely."
"It will be an attack on national infrastructure, not just upsetting city firms, but getting inside the transport system, or the health system, or air traffic control. It could affect everyone."
Mark Almond, director of the Crisis Research Institute in Oxford also said the strikes would not ease the conflict in the region.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, he said: “Bad relations could easily encourage a reckless Russian freebooter, prompted and paid by Iran, to try his luck getting revenge on the pockets of US and British forces operating in eastern Syria.”
9.16am: British aid worker describes 'deafening explosions' during Syrian air raids
A British aid worker has described hearing "deafening explosions" and said the building she was in rattled when allied air strikes struck their Syrian targets.
More than 100 missiles were fired in overnight raids on three facilities connected with the Syrian regime's chemical weapon programme on Saturday.
Saturday, April 14
9.46pm: Aleppo blast blamed on 'explosives'
Hezbollah has denied claims an Iranian military base was attacked by aircraft this evening.
It has blamed explosives detonating in a warehouse.
9.10pm: 'Blast' at military base in Aleppo after 'fighter jet attack'
There are unconfimed reports an Iranian military base in Aleppo has been attacked by unidentified aircraft this evening.
The base was in the Jabal Azzan region south of Aleppo, a Syrian government-controlled rural region.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, reported the blast but said the cause was unknown.
8.20pm: Pence warns Syria of 'price to pay'
US Vice President Mike Pence said today Syria would have a "price to pay" if its military conducts another chemical weapons attacks.
At a Latin American summit in Lima, Peru, Mr Pence said President Trump "made clear that the United States of America is prepared to sustain this effort to reestablish the deterrent framework that exists in order that the Syrian regime and its patrons know there will be a price to pay if chemicals weapons are used again against men, women and children."
7.35pm: Downing Street insists strikes were legal
Number 10 has published documents outlining the case for airstrikes against Syria amid questions over the attack’s legality from Moscow and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
In a summary of the advice given by Attorney General Jeremy Wright to Prime Minister Theresa May, Downing Street pointed the finger at Moscow over its role in leading the UK and its allies to decide to launch an attack on Bashar Assad's regime.
It said international action to alleviate suffering caused by chemical weapons had been repeatedly blocked by Syria's allies.
Diplomatic action, sanctions, and the US strikes against the Shayrat airbase in April 2017 have failed to sufficiently degrade Syria's chemical weapons capability, the document added.
The paper said: ”There was no practicable alternative to the truly exceptional use of force to degrade the Syrian regime's chemical weapons capability and deter their further use by the Syrian regime in order to alleviate humanitarian suffering.”
6.35pm: Russia resolution slamming ‘aggression’ rejected by UN
The UN Security Council rejected a Russian-drafted resolution today.
The resolution would have condemned "the aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic by the US and its allies in violation of international law and the U.N. Charter."
Only Russia, China and Bolivia voted in favour of the draft resolution.
Eight countries voted against the draft, while four abstained.
A resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by Russia, China, France, Britain or the United States to pass.
US Ambassador Nikki Haley at the UN6pm: Theresa May, Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron brand strikes “a success”
A Downing Street spokesman said: "In separate calls, the Prime Minister this afternoon spoke with President Macron and President Trump.
"The three leaders agreed that the military strikes taken against the Syrian Regime's chemical weapons sites had been a success.
"The Prime Minister welcomed the public support which had been given by fellow world leaders for the strong stand the UK, France and the United States had taken in degrading Syria's chemical weapons capability and deterring their use, defending global rules, and sending a clear message that the use of chemical weapons can never become normalised."
5.25pm: UK will 'take no lessons from Russia'
UK ambassador Karen Pierce told the UN Security Council meeting there had been "clear boundaries" in the action that had been taken in an attempt to avoid escalation.
She said repeated attempts to hold the Syrian regime to account had been met with Russian "obstruction and resistance".
"We have repeatedly in this council attempted to overcome this obstruction, without success," she said.
"We are faced with a litany of violations, no sense of guilt, no sense of regret, no sense of responsibility, a shameful record wrapped in a mix of denial, deceit and disinformation."
Ms Pierce added: "I will take no lessons in international law from Russia."
4.55pm: US is ‘locked and loaded’ to strike Syria again if necessary, US Ambassador tells UN Security Council
With the UN Security Council meeting in full swing, the US Ambassador to the United Nations has told delegates her country will renew attacks if tested by Syria.
She said: “ We are confident that we have crippled Syria's chemical weapons program. We are prepared to sustain this pressure, if the Syrian regime is foolish enough to test our will.
"If the Syrian regime uses this poison gas again, the United States is locked and loaded.”
3.49pm: Russia asks UN Security Council to condemn last night’s allied attack, draft paper shows
Russian officials have called on the United Nations Security Council to condemn "the aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic by the U.S. and its allies in violation of international law and the U.N. Charter."
It was not immediately clear when it could be put to a vote.
Diplomats said it was unlikely to get the minimum nine votes needed to force a veto by the United States, France or Britain.
A resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by Russia, China, France, Britain or the United States to pass.
3.40pm: Russian Foreign Minister calls military assaults by US, UK and France ‘unacceptable and lawless’
Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, has cast doubt on France’s assertions that it has proof that a chemical attack took place in Douma, calling yesterday’s air strikes ‘unacceptable and lawless’.
Mr Lavrov said: "They [France] said the facts were incontrovertible [for the chemical attack in Douma], but said they could not share them with us.”
He went on to say if evidence was proven then "Russia would be the first to want to stop such an attack".
Syria air strikes latest pictures: US, UK and France attack DamascusSun, April 15, 2018The United States, France and Britain have launched military strikes in Syria to punish President Bashar Assad for an apparent chemical attack against civilians and to deter him from doing it again.
The destroyed Scientific Research Centre is seen in Damascus [REUTERS]
2.49pm: No known casualties of Syrian bombing and attacks not intended to 'depose' Syrian regime, says Pentagon
Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie said there have been no civilian casualties as far as the Pentago is aware.
He said: "None of our aircraft or missiles involved in this operation were successfully engaged by Syrian air defences."
Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said the airstrikes had been launched to "cripple Syria's ability to use chemical weapons in the future" and had "successfully hit every target".
She insisted the strikes did not "represent a change in US policy or an attempt to depose the Syrian regime" and that the US focus was to defeat the Islamic State terror group.
But, she added: "We cannot allow such grievous violations of international law."
2.27pm: Pentagon briefing underway - targets were 'precise, overwhelming and effective', says General McKenzie
Lieutenant General Kenneth F. McKenzie of the US Department of Defense is giving a press briefing at the Pentagon on Saturday’s Syrian missile strikes.
He said: “We selected these targets carefully to avoid civilian casualties... and they were successfully hit."
He added: "I'd use three words to describe this operation - precise, overwhelming and effective."
However, the general added that the chemicals weapons stash in Syria is bigger than the three areas targeted in the bombing.
SYRIA CRISIS LIVE updates: President Trump has tweeted his thanks to UK and French military forces
2.07pm: Jeremy Corbyn writes to Theresa May about legality of intervention without Parliamentary consentJeremy Corbyn continues to oppose the military action undertaken by the British government on Saturday in conjunction with the US and France.The Labour leader wrote to Mrs May, writing: "I believe that Parliament should have been consulted and voted on the matter. The UK Prime Minister is accountable to Parliament, not to the whims of a US president.
"I believe the action was legally questionable, and this morning the UN Secretary-General has said as much, reiterating that all countries must act in line with the UN Charter.
"You assured me that the Attorney General had given clear legal advice approving the action. I would therefore be grateful if you would publish this advice in full today."
1.55pm: Donald Trump congratulates France and UK on ‘perfectly executed strike’
President Trump has woken up and has been back on Twitter to praise the military forces involved in Saturday’s bombing of Syria.
He tweeted: “A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!”
In a second tweet, he added: “So proud of our great Military which will soon be, after the spending of billions of fully approved dollars, the finest that our Country has ever had. There won’t be anything, or anyone, even close!”
1.21pm: Egypt expresses concerns over Syria situation without direct condemnation of air assaults
Egypt has said it is worried about the current military action in Syria but did not directly criticise allied forces involved in Saturday’s attack.
Egypt's foreign ministry said in a statement it was deeply concerned "at the current military escalation in Syria" and was concerned for the welfare of the Syrian people.
It also rejected the use of internationally banned weapons on Syrian territory and demanded a transparent international investigation.
The ministry said: "The Arab Republic of Egypt expresses its solidarity with the brotherly Syrian people in their aspirations to live in security and stability.”
SYRIA CRISIS LIVE updates: A cruise missile is launched by French forces12.59pm: UN Security Council calls urgent meeting for today to discuss Syrian air strikes
UN Security Council will meet for an emergency meeting 4pm GMT today at the behest of Russian diplomats
12.53pm: OPCW will continue investigation of whether chemical weapons were used in DoumaThe Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said its fact-finding team will continue its work in Syria "to establish facts around the allegations of chemical weapons use in Douma" following last night's military attacks.
It added: "The OPCW has been working in close collaboration with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security to assess the situation and ensure the safety of the team."
12.20pm: Weaponry of overnight Syria air attack revealed
More than 100 missiles were launched in the attacks in Syria, according to officials.
The Royal Air Force used four Tornado GR4s to attack a base 15 miles west of Homs - GR4s can travel at a speed of Mach 1.3 and carry more than eight tonnes of weapons.
Weighing in at 2,866lb (1,300kg), measuring 16.7ft (5.1m) in length and with a range in excess of 150 miles (240km), the Royal Air Force said they are "arguably the most advanced weapon of its kind in the world".
The French launched 12 cruise missiles using Mirage and Rafale fighter jets.
The Americans deployed their B-1B Lancer bombers for the strike. No details were given of the missiles they were carrying, but the US Air Force did confirm air launched cruise missiles were used.
11.55am: EU says Russia and Iran to be hit by new economic sanctions if chemical attacks continue
European Union warns Russia and Iran of fresh economic sanctions if chemical weapon attacks continue by the Syrian government.
The political union said: "The EU calls upon all countries, notably Russia and Iran, to use their influence to prevent any further use of chemical weapons, notably by the Syrian regime.”
It added the EU had imposed Syrian sanctions in July 2017 and March this year and was "always ready to consider imposing further measures as appropriate".
11.26am: Russia claims Syrian air defences shot down “71 of 103: missiles fired by allied attack, Guardian writes
Syrian defence forces shot down “71 of 103” missiles according to the Russian military, as reported by The Guardian.
11.08am: Theresa May says strikes are 'right and legal' after allegations they are illegalTheresa May has defended the air strikes in Syria saying they are 'right and legal' after opposition Jeremy Corbyn questioned their legality.
Theresa May says strikes are ‘right and legal’ amid allegations they are illegal
The attacks were focus on military bases near the Syrian capital of Damascus - the city of Homs was also targeted.
10.39am: Theresa May to update parliament about strikes on Monday
Mrs May will speak with parliament about the go-ahead of strikes in a session on Monday.
Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin has said Russia will call an emergency session of the UN Security Council over Saturday's attack.
10.27am: France says no further strikes planned
The objectives of international strikes on Syria have been met and there are no further strikes planned at this stage but the Syrian government should be aware that fresh strikes could be planned if it crosses red lines again, France said on Saturday.
Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told BFM TV in an interview that there were no changes to President Emmanuel Macron's planned trip to Russia next month.
9.30am: Theresa May speaks
The Prime Minister said it was both "right and legal" to take action against Syria to "degrade" and deter the regime from developing and using the weapons.
She said the strike was "limited" and "effective".
Ms May stressed it wasn't a regime change and purely to destroy stocks of weapons.
5.24am: Syria say they 'absorbed' airstrikes
The Syrian government has bragged the US, UK and French airstrikes launched overnight had little impact after Russia gave the Assad regime advanced warning of the attack.
They told Reuters: “We have absorbed the strike.
“We had an early warning of the strike from the Russians and all military bases were evacuated a few days ago.”
4.50am: Russia react to Trump's announcement
Russia's Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov said on Twitter: "Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences."
"Insulting the President of Russia is unacceptable and inadmissible."
3.57am: Airstrikes fall on Syria
Images have emerged of airstrikes hitting the Syrian capital of Damascus.
At least six loud explosions were heard and smoke was seen rising over the city.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a scientific research centre and military bases in Damascus were struck, as were the Syrian army’s Republican Guard and 4th Division, elite units of the Syrian military.
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