The United States has carried out a missile attack against targets in Syria in response to a suspected chemical weapons attack on a rebel-held town, BBC reports.


A Pentagon official said about 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from Navy destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean at a Syrian air base.


Dozens of people, including at least 27 children, are reported to have died following an attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province early on Tuesday, BBC reports.

Trump’s exact intentions remain unclear but the US is said to be considering a military response.


The BBC’s North America editor says a US strike could be imminent.


US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said Bashar al-Assad should have no role in a future Syria.


His comments signal an apparent U-turn for the US – only last week the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said Washington was no longer prioritising the removal of the Syrian president.
Measures reported to be under discussion between the Pentagon and the White House include the targeting of Syrian radar using cruise missiles launched from US ships.


Dozens of people, including at least 27 children, are reported to have died following an attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province early on Tuesday.


Syria denies its forces were to blame and is supported by its ally, Russia.