RAF Tornado jets bomb Syria chemical weapon factory as explosions rock Damascus

RAF Tornado jets have bombed a Syrian chemical weapons factory.

The Ministry of Defence deemed the mission a “success” after British forces joined the US and France in a revenge strike on Duma.

The MoD is investigating the aftermath of a precision hit aimed at wiping out Assad’s deadly weapons which left 75 people dead on April 7.

Explosions have been reported in Damascus, just hours after Donald Trump confirmed he had ordered coalition airstrikes.

Pictures show the sky glowing a fiery orange and reported blasts over Mount Qasioun.

Pro-Assad official says around 30 missiles were fired at Syria during the attack, and a third were shot down with defence canons.

The MoD confirmed airstrikes at 2am UK time.

What we know so far:Trump announces US, UK and French air strikes on Syria in revenge for ‘evil’ chemical attack

May says UK has ‘no alternative’ other than to launch attack

RAF Tornado jets bomb Syria chemical weapons factory

Russia warns of ‘consequences’ after Syria bombings ‘insult’ Putin

A statement read: “A significant body of information, including intelligence, indicates that the Syrian regime was responsible.

“This pattern of behaviour must be stopped

“Our action is proportionate, specifically aimed at degrading the regime’s ability to use chemical weapons and deterring further such appalling acts.”

It confirmed four Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s launched Storm Shadow missiles at a military facility – a former missile base – fifteen miles west of Homs.

Scientists analysed the area to determine the best target, and to minimise the risk of chemical fall out and human casualties.

The MoD said the bombed facility was located some distance from any known concentrations of civilian habitation.

The statement adds: “Initial indications are that the precision of the Storm Shadow weapons and meticulous target planning have resulted in a successful attack.”

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “The reprehensible use of chemical weapons in Douma is further evidence of the Syrian regime’s appalling cruelty against its own people.

“We will not stand by whilst innocent civilians, including women and children, are killed and made to suffer.

“The international community has responded decisively with legal and proportionate military force.

“Let these united actions send a clear message to the regime – the use of chemical weapons is categorically unacceptable and you will be held to account.”

Theresa May said there was ‘no practicable alternative to the use of force’ after the President announced the retaliation to reports of chemical attacks.

Trump said British and French military forces had joined the response as revenge for what he called “the crimes of a monster”.

He also sent a stern message to Iran and Russia, with some fearing rising tensions could lead to World War 3.

“What kind of a nation wants to be associated with the mass murder of innocent men, women and children,” he said.

“No nation can succeed by promoting rogue states and dictators.”

He added: “Russia must decide whether to continue on this dark path or come back to civilisation.”

In a dramatic day of developments before Trump confirmed “precision strikes”:

Mrs May’s Cabinet gave the green light to join the US military action after a two-hour meeting.

We revealed yesterday how the President wants to wage an all-out blitz on up to EIGHT targets in Syria – after US officials said they had proof Bashar al Assad gassed his own people.

The revelation came as two US officials said blood and urine samples from some of the 70 victims of the deadly chemical attack in Douma last weekend showed traces of chlorine gas and a nerve agent – most likely Sarin.

French President Emmanuel Macron separately insisted the West had “proof” Assad was behind the Douma massacre.

And he said France and the US would decide on a response “at a time of our choosing, when we judge it to be the most useful and the most effective”.

Anti-terror squads have been deployed around New York for fear of terror reprisals.

Tory MPs also told The Sun they would back military strikes – including a number of Tories who voted against action in 2013. Two US Navy destroyers armeed with Tomahawk cruise missles are in position as well as jets and subs.

Sources in the Middle East said Bashar al Assad had left his palace in Syria for Iran – his close ally alongside Russia.

Syria’s military was also said to be moving jets to Russian-controlled airfields in the hopes that Washington would leave these alone.

In a sign of a desperate attempt to stop any reprisals escalating into a full blown war, the Kremlin said a hotline between Russian and US military in Syria was “active”.

Russia also stepped up a frantic round of diplomacy with Vladimir Putin ringing both Turkish President Recep Erdogan and Israeli PM Benjamin Nethanyahu.

Last night Russia called an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council for today.

Russia’s UN ambassador said his top diplomatic priority was to avert a full conflict, though he didn’t rule it out.

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