Residents of the Syrian town devastated by a chemical weapons attack last week said warplanes had returned to bomb them Saturday, despite a US missile barrage and warnings of possible further response.
At least 86 people in the northwestern town of Khan Sheikhoun were killed Tuesday in a chemical attack that left hundreds choking, gripped by spasms or foaming at the mouth. Eyewitnesses and a monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Saturday that fresh attacks on the area - now a virtual ghost town - had killed one woman and wounded several other people.
Photographs from the site showed a pair of green slippers, abandoned near a blood-spattered doorway.
Residents cowered in bedrooms and basements throughout Saturday, underscoring the apparently unchanged threat they faced from the Syrian government's arsenal of rockets, barrel bombs and other weapons that have resulted in a majority of the conflict's half-million dead.
In retaliation for Tuesday's chemical assault, President Donald Trump ordered a missile strike on a Syrian air base housing a jet fleet responsible for extensive bombing across northern Syria.
The barrage of 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles fired from two U.S. ships is the first direct military action the United States has taken against the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad in the six-year-long conflict. Although Trump warned of possible further intervention, the Pentagon has said no other strikes against government targets are in current plans.
American officials had predicted that the missile strike would result in a major shift in Assad's calculus, but the U.S. attack appeared to be symbolic in reality. Within 24 hours of the strike, monitoring groups reported that warplanes were again taking off from the bombed Shayrat air base, this time to attack Islamic State positions.
There were also reports of Syrian government and Russian airstrikes across the provinces of Damascus, Aleppo, Idlib and Daraa, all killing civilians. However, there were no reports of further use of chemical weapons.
"The American strikes did nothing for us. They can still commit massacres at any time," said Majed Khattab, speaking by phone from Khan Sheikhoun. "No one here can sleep properly; people are really afraid."
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu described Trump's decision to retaliate as welcome but not enough.
"If this intervention is limited only to an air base, if it does not continue, and if we don't remove the regime from heading Syria, then this would remain a cosmetic intervention," he said.
A longtime backer of Syria's armed opposition, Turkey is now overseeing a stuttering peace process in the Kazakh capital, Astana, that it hopes will hasten an end to the war.
Elsewhere in the region, a leading Iraqi Shiite cleric and militia leader, Moqtada al-Sadr, called on Assad to step down and "save Syria before it's too late."
"President Bashar al-Assad should resign and leave power, for the love of Syria, allowing the dear people of Syria to avoid war and the scourge of terrorism," he said.
Although some of Iraq's Shiite militias that are more directly linked to Iran have fought in support of Assad in Syria, Sadr's Peace Brigades have not, and the cleric promotes himself as a nationalist.
In a statement, he also criticized U.S. and Russian intervention in the country. "I call for a military retreat from Syria by everyone," he said. "They [Syrians] are the only ones who have the right to decide their fate."
In a sign of the continuing diplomatic fallout from the chemical attack and the U.S. response, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson announced Saturday that he had canceled a planned visit to Moscow.
Johnson was to fly to Moscow on Monday to meet his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in what would have been the first such meeting since 2012. But Johnson said in a statement that "developments in Syria have changed the situation fundamentally."
"We deplore Russia's continued defense of the Assad regime even after the chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians," Johnson said.
Britain has been supportive of the U.S. airstrike against a Syrian air base but has said it has no plans to join the United States in any future attacks.
Meanwhile, Russia and Iran, Assad's most influential supporters, have rallied around him.
Russia condemned the U.S. missile strike and suspended an agreement that would minimize the risk of in-flight incidents between Russian and U.S. military aircraft over Syria.
And on Saturday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in a statement carried by state television, called for the formation of an international fact-finding committee that "must not be headed by Americans."
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, a global watchdog, said Thursday that it had initiated contact with the Syrian government and was investigating the attack on Khan Sheikhoun.
Reuters
Sun Apr 09 2017
![Russia condemned the US missile strike. Russia condemned the US missile strike.](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-04/41491536949_USstrikeSyria.jpg)
Russia condemned the US missile strike.
![Lebanese search for dead in devastated villages as Israel withdraws Lebanese search for dead in devastated villages as Israel withdraws](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/71739948701_TBYaroun.jpg)
Lebanese search for dead in devastated villages as Israel withdraws
Hezbollah says Israel was still occupying Lebanese territory and put the onus on the Lebanese state to get Israeli forces out.
![China promises Latin America 'trustworthy' ties as Trump lays out demands China promises Latin America 'trustworthy' ties as Trump lays out demands](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/41691592123_WangYi.jpg)
China promises Latin America 'trustworthy' ties as Trump lays out demands
Beijing looks to improve its foothold in a region historically under the US sphere of influence.
![Major risks loom as Trump upends US Russia policy Major risks loom as Trump upends US Russia policy](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81739935395_tbVladimirPutinDon.jpg)
Major risks loom as Trump upends US Russia policy
Washington's approach changes dramatically with the initial meeting between US and Russian negotiators.
![Pope Francis has double pneumonia, complicating his treatment, Vatican says Pope Francis has double pneumonia, complicating his treatment, Vatican says](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/71739950345_PopeFrancis.jpg)
Pope Francis has double pneumonia, complicating his treatment, Vatican says
Doctors say a polymicrobial infection occurs when two or more micro-organisms are involved and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
![Philippines' VP Duterte challenges impeachment before Supreme Court Philippines' VP Duterte challenges impeachment before Supreme Court](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81738903885_TBSaraDuterte.jpg)
Philippines' VP Duterte challenges impeachment before Supreme Court
Sara Duterte makes her first legal move to fight the case that could lead to her removal and lead to a lifetime ban from public office.
![Motor racing - Hamilton steps out in red at unprecedented 10 team F1 launch Motor racing - Hamilton steps out in red at unprecedented 10 team F1 launch](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-12/41733723992_LewisHamilton.jpg)
Motor racing - Hamilton steps out in red at unprecedented 10 team F1 launch
I feel so full of life, so much energy, because everything's new and I'm just focused on what is up ahead, Hamilton says.
![UAE tells US' Rubio it rejects displacement of Palestinians UAE tells US' Rubio it rejects displacement of Palestinians](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/51739962942_SheikhMohamedbinZ.jpg)
UAE tells US' Rubio it rejects displacement of Palestinians
The UAE's stance matters as its one of four Arab nations that normalised ties with Israel during Trumps first term.
![Taylor Swift wins recording artist of the year crown for fifth time Taylor Swift wins recording artist of the year crown for fifth time](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/51739940935_TBTaylorSwift.jpg)
Taylor Swift wins recording artist of the year crown for fifth time
The megastar's "The Tortured Poets Department" record also topped four IFPI charts, the IFPI says.
![More than $50 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, World Bank joint assessment says More than $50 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, World Bank joint assessment says](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-01/71737096454_palestinegazaisr.jpg)
More than $50 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, World Bank joint assessment says
Years of rebuilding work, including clearing unexploded ordinance and millions of tonnes of rubble lie ahead.
![Malaysia’s AI data centre development to be impacted by recent US restrictions - Liew Malaysia’s AI data centre development to be impacted by recent US restrictions - Liew](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81739939398_TBLiewChinTong.jpg)
Malaysia’s AI data centre development to be impacted by recent US restrictions - Liew
Liew Chin Tong says the restrictions would not affect the development of the domestic data centre ecosystem as a whole.
![Sweden's top court rejects Greta Thunberg lawsuit on climate action Sweden's top court rejects Greta Thunberg lawsuit on climate action](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81739955532_GretaThunberg.jpg)
Sweden's top court rejects Greta Thunberg lawsuit on climate action
A court cannot decide that the parliament or the government must take any specific action, the Supreme Court says.
![[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream [COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/51728873693_EMIR.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream
The Gaza plan is dangerous and counter-productive as it's merely another recipe for regional instability.
![Sivasangari eyes new career-high in world rankings Sivasangari eyes new career-high in world rankings](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81739946217_SivasangariSubraman.jpg)
Sivasangari eyes new career-high in world rankings
After climbing to a career-best world number seven, national women's squash ace S. Sivasangari is determined to keep rising.
![Outburst against Steven Sim: DAP will probe if there's a complaint - Loke Outburst against Steven Sim: DAP will probe if there's a complaint - Loke](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-01/81736761438_TBANTHONYLOKE.jpg)
Outburst against Steven Sim: DAP will probe if there's a complaint - Loke
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke says the disciplinary committee has not received any reports related to the incident so far.
![US judge will not block Elon Musk from firing federal workers, accessing data US judge will not block Elon Musk from firing federal workers, accessing data](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-01/51737453660_tbElonMusk.jpg)
US judge will not block Elon Musk from firing federal workers, accessing data
The case raises questions about Musk's apparent unchecked authority as a top deputy to President Donald Trump.
![Dozens of false killer whales stranded on remote Australian beach Dozens of false killer whales stranded on remote Australian beach](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/61739935984_tbWhalesArthurRiv.jpg)
Dozens of false killer whales stranded on remote Australian beach
Rescue crews trying to save the majority of the large dolphins that survived the ordeal, according to authorities.
![Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/61739249021_AirForceOne.jpg)
Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue
The AP, citing editorial standards, says it would continue to use the gulf's established name.
![China to fly back 200 nationals rescued from Myanmar scam centres, Thai official says China to fly back 200 nationals rescued from Myanmar scam centres, Thai official says](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/71738880696_TBShweKokkocity.jpg)
China to fly back 200 nationals rescued from Myanmar scam centres, Thai official says
This is part of a multinational effort to crack down on illegal online operations run from the region.
![Somber Tiger Woods back in action in TGL loss to New York GC Somber Tiger Woods back in action in TGL loss to New York GC](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/41739933264_TBTigerWoods.jpg)
Somber Tiger Woods back in action in TGL loss to New York GC
Tiger Woods makes his first start since the death of his mother when he competed in a TGL match at Palm Beach Gardens.
![Brazil's ex-President Bolsonaro charged in alleged coup plot Brazil's ex-President Bolsonaro charged in alleged coup plot](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81739932787_Brazil.jpg)
Brazil's ex-President Bolsonaro charged in alleged coup plot
A total of 34 people were charged, including several military officials.