EU backs US strikes in Syria, says it showed necessary 'resolve'

The US has launched a military strike on a Syrian government target in retaliation for their chemical weapons attack on civilians.

Brussels, Apr 7: The US missile strikes on a Syrian airbase on Friday demonstrated 'needed resolve' against chemical attacks, EU President Donald Tusk said.

"US strikes show needed resolve against barbaric chemical attacks," tweeted Tusk, who represents the 28 EU member states, adding the bloc will work with the US to 'end brutality' in Syria.

Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, the EU executive, expressed his support for the US decision.

"President Juncker has been unequivocal in his condemnation of the use of chemical weapons," a Commission statement said.

"The repeated use of such weapons must be answered. He understands efforts to deter further attacks," it said.

Juncker made 'a clear distinction' between US missile strikes on a military base and the use of "chemical weapons against civilians."

He also urged diplomatic efforts to end the six-year war in Syria "be redoubled" as only a "political transition" can achieve lasting peace.

The US launched a military strike on a Syrian government target in retaliation for their chemical weapons attack on civilians earlier in the week, President Trump told the media.

The US launched 59 cruise missiles into Syria in the first direct military attack by the country on President Bashar al-Assad's regime since the civil war began. The strike came in response to a chemical weapons attack that struck a town in northern Syria.

PTI