Defense Secretary James Mattis says a wave of precision airstrikes against Syrian targets is over. The military operation was a response to the recent, deadly chemical weapons attacks in Syria. In a Pentagon briefing tonight, Mattis said no further airstrikes are planned at this time. Great Britain and France joined the U.S. in the Syria operation, which focused on three targets. Mattis said the aim was to destroy Syria's chemical weapons infrastructure. He argued that the Syrian regime is guilty of violating international laws.
Mattis called on all civilized nations to unite against the Syrian regime. He said the allies went to great lengths to avoid civilian and foreign casualties. Mattis noted that there have been no reports of U.S. casualties. Meantime, Russian forces are in Syria and Joint Chiefs Chairman Joe Dunford said precautions were taken to avoid hitting them. He said Russia was not notified about the impending strikes.
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