Pentagon gives update on Syria strikes — live updates

The Pentagon is briefing reporters at 9 a.m. Saturday on airstrikes in Syria. The U.S., France and the United Kingdom launched a series of strikes at 9 p.m. ET Friday night. The attacks were in response to the Syrian regime’s alleged use of chemical weapons last weekend.

“Mission Accomplished!” President Trump tweeted Friday morning, after addressing the nation the night before to announce the attacks. Secretary of Defense James Mattis emphasized that the targets were infrastructure related to the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons program, and that there are no plans at this time for further strikes. 

But Mr. Trump, in his address to the nation from the White House, declared that the U.S. is prepared to continue military intervention until Syrian President Bashar Assad stops the use of chemical weapons.

“Establishing this deterrent is a vital national security interest of the United States,” Mr. Trump said Friday night. “The combined American, British and French response to these atrocities will integrate all instruments of our national power — military, economic and diplomatic. We are prepared to sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents.”

Related coverage: 

Follow along below for updates from the Pentagon briefing, which you can watch in the video player above: