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2018 bombing of Damascus and Homs facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

On April 14, 2018, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom launched military strikes against government sites in Syria. These attacks, which used planes and missiles from ships, happened early in the morning, around 4:00 AM Syrian time.

The three countries said they acted because chemical weapons were used against people in a place called Douma on April 7. They believed the Syrian government was responsible for this chemical attack. However, Syria denied using chemical weapons and said the airstrikes were against international law.

The leaders who ordered these strikes were President Donald Trump from the United States, Prime Minister Theresa May from the United Kingdom, and President Emmanuel Macron from France.

What Happened?

The military strikes targeted several places in Syria. These included sites that the attacking countries believed were involved in making or storing chemical weapons. The goal was to stop the Syrian government from using such weapons again.

The attacks were carefully planned to hit specific targets. This was to avoid harming too many civilians. The strikes happened quickly and were over in a short amount of time.

Why Did the Strikes Happen?

The main reason for the strikes was the Douma chemical attack that happened a week earlier. Chemical weapons are very dangerous and are banned by international agreements. When these weapons are used, they can cause severe harm or death to many people.

The United States, France, and the United Kingdom believed that the Syrian government had used these illegal weapons against its own people. They felt it was important to respond to show that using chemical weapons would not be accepted.

Who Was Involved?

The three main countries involved in carrying out the strikes were:

These countries worked together to plan and carry out the military action. Syria, led by President Bashar al-Assad, was the target of these strikes.

Images for kids

  • Jim Mattis briefing 2018 Syria attack

    US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford briefing reporters on the attack

  • B-1B, 28th Bomb Wing, prepares to launch a strike mission from Al Udeid AIr Base, April 13 2018

    A B-1B of 28th Bomb Wing preparing to launch a strike mission from Al Udeid Air Base

  • The ruins of the American missile attack on Syria 09 (cropped)

    Buildings destroyed by allied missile strikes, 14 April 2018

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Bombardeos de Damasco y Homs para niños

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