President Trump ordered the U.S. missile attack on Shayrat Airfield in Syria in response to the Syrian government’s nerve gas attack on the rebel-held Idlib province. How the attack unfolded:
One of the 20 aircraft destroyed in the U.S. missile attack on Shayrat Airfield in Syria.
A Syrian doctor treats a child following a nerve gas attack at Khan Sheikhoun, Syria. The attack was believed to be the worst in the country’s six-year civil war.
At least 86 people, including 27 children, are killed in what Doctors Without Borders medics say could be a chemical attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun. Victims show symptoms consistent with exposure to nerve gas.
This hospital in rebel-held Khan Sheikhoun, Syria, was bombed in the second of two air attacks April 4.
A field hospital is targeted by a second air attack hours later.
Witnesses say the attack was carried out by either Russian or Syrian Sukhoi jets. Russia and Syria deny responsibility.
10:30 a.m.: Trump asks for more information on the attack at a briefing. He issues a statement saying that the “heinous” actions of Assad’s government are the direct result of Obama administration’s “weakness and irresolution.”
8 p.m.: A National Security Council committee considers options for a strike.
Wednesday, April 5
Turkey’s health minister says evidence points to a chemical attack after autopsies of victims suggest sarin nerve agent was used.
3 p.m.: Trump reviews military options during an NSC meeting. Publicly, Trump says Assad’s government has “crossed a lot of lines” with the suspected chemical attack.
Thursday, April 6
1:30 p.m.: On the flight to Florida, Trump meets with NSC members aboard the plane and others in a video conference.
4 p.m.: Trump meets with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in at Trump’s Mar-A-Lago estate in Florida.
President Trump receives a briefing on the military strike against Syria from the National Security Council team, including Vice President Mike Pence, the defense secretary, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff via secure video teleconference.
4:30 p.m.: Trump gives final approval to launch a cruise missile attack.
7:40 p.m. EDT The attack begins. Two U.S. Navy destroyers, the USS Porter and USS Ross, have been pre-positioned in the eastern Mediterranean. They launch 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
As the missiles are in flight, the Pentagon notifies the Russian military. U.S. planners deliberately avoid targeting buildings that house Russian personnel.
As the missles are in flight, the Pentagon notifies the Russian military. Military planners deliberately avoid striking buildings housing Russian personnel.
A satellite image of Shayrat Airfield in Syria taken April 4, the day of the chemical attack on Khan Sheikhoun.
A Defense Department satellite photo shows battle damage of the Shayrat Airfield in Syria following a Tomahawk cruise missile attack on April 6.
8:30 p.m.: Foreign leaders and members of Congress are notified of the attack.
A Defense Department photo shows damaged and destroyed aircraft shelters at Shayrat Airfield.
8:30 p.m.: The missiles begin hitting their targets, destroying 20 aircraft, surface-to-surface missiles, radar equipment, aircraft hangers and petroleum stocks.
A facility suspected of holding chemical weapons is not targeted. The attack lasts three to four minutes.
A Defense Department photo shows damage from cruise missile attack at Shayrat Airfield.
Trump, at dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping, says the strike took place while they were eating.
The Pentagon later releases an image it says tracks Syrian aircraft from the airfield to Khan Sheikhoun to carry out Tuesday’s chemical weapons attack.
President Trump announces the U.S. airstrike against Syria Thursday night. Trump ordered the strike in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack on Syrian citizens April 4 and blamed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the attack.
On Thursday night, Trump announces the attack, and says it is in the “vital national security interest” of the United States.
Friday, April 7
U.S. officials say the attack is a success, with all 59 missiles hitting their targets. Syrian and Russian governments condemn it. Nine civilians are killed, including four children, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency reported. Several others are injured.
A Russian defense ministry spokesman says six Syrian jets were destroyed. He says the airfield’s runways are intact and that only 23 missiles hit their targets. U.S. officials dispute his claim.
For a primer on the Syrian War, check out the below video from Oren Dorell, USA Today foreign affairs reporter.
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