Trump Tipping Off Syria Just Backfired in the WORST Way
It appears that President Trump’s dramatic missile barrage against the Syrian government’s al-Shayrat airfield was a $70 million failure. Multiple sources are reporting that the airbase is already being used to launch airstrikes again.
#BREAKING Jets carry out strikes from Syria base hit by US: monitor
— AFP news agency (@AFP) April 7, 2017
From inside #AlShayrat military airbase, su-22 fighter starting to take off from minutes ago #SAA #Russia #USA #Syria pic.twitter.com/Fh6l0L6kVw
— Omar Hatem (@omar_hatem1) April 7, 2017
Trump’s attack destroyed at least nine and possibly as many as fifteen jets. Seven soldiers, including a brigadier general, were killed in the assault, as were nine civilians, including four children.
Local sources indicate that Russian and Syrian military units were evacuated and moved out of the area before the barrage hit. ABC News has confirmed that the Russians were made aware of the strike four hours before it happened, who almost certainly warned the Syrian air force.
Rebel observatories noticed unusual high nbr (11) of Su-22 takeoff frm #Shayrat AB, possibly anticipating US strikes https://t.co/UXMHOzIF9L
— Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) April 7, 2017
Dictator Bashar al-Assad was clearly unintimidated by Trump’s attack, as he promptly unleashed a flurry of airstrikes on civilian areas in Idlib, Hama, Homs, and Damascus areas, including chlorine gas bombs on East Ghouta.
The lack of lasting damage against the airbase only solidifies the suspicion that Trump’s grand gesture was nothing but a shameful charade intended to boost his poll numbers, create the perception that he’s a strong president who decisively takes action, and pull the public’s attention away from the investigation into his potentially treasonous collusion with Russia.
Here’s the extent of the damage:
Shayrat Air Base (by Evgeny Poddubnyy). pic.twitter.com/VE1UdoAx8i
— Morant Mathieu (@MathieuMorant) April 7, 2017
Shayrat Air Base (by Mikhail Voskresensky) (1). pic.twitter.com/qDaB2kToJX
— Morant Mathieu (@MathieuMorant) April 7, 2017
Shayrat Air Base (by @Al_Pushini). pic.twitter.com/g45KxvlYRi
— Morant Mathieu (@MathieuMorant) April 7, 2017
Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America.