Saudi Arabia supports US-led strikes against Syria

Saudi Arabia stands behind the US-led strikes against Syrian military sites, a foreign affairs official said, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Armed forces from the United States, UK and France launched airstrikes early morning Saturday in response to the Syrian government’s use of chemical weapons on civilians, the state official said.

“The Syrian regime is responsible for subjecting the country to these airstrikes,” the statement said. “And, the international community failed to take strict measures against the Syrian administration.”

The Syrian government has denied responsibility for any such attack.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supports the precision strikes conducted against the Iranian backed Assad regime for their use of internationally banned weapons. This swift response will hopefully serve as a future deterrent to Assad’s barbaric use of chemical weapons,” Khalid bin Salman, Saudi ambassador to the US, said on his Twitter account.

Following the airstrikes, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad said Western air strikes make Syria even more determined to '”fight terrorism,” AFP reported.

France has warned of further airstrikes in case of another chemical attack, AFP reported. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said no additional attacks are planned in Syria as of yet.