Advertisement

  1. National

UK attacks Russian support for Syria regime after US airstrikes

The UK government has attacked Russia's role in alliance with the Syria regime as international tensions continue in the aftermath of the suspected chemical attack and retaliatory US airstrikes.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has pulled out of a visit to Moscow saying "we deplore Russia's continued defence of the Assad regime".

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has said Russia is responsible for "every civilian death" in Bashar Assad's suspected sarin attack on his own people.

US President Donald Trump has meanwhile written to both chambers of Congress justifying his decision to launch the retaliation strikes.

US senator John McCain has told ITV News the US and its allies must add momentum to Mr Trump's intervention by working to force President Assad out.

View all 42 updates ›

Sturgeon 'doubtful' over effectiveness of Syria strike

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, pictured, has just completed a five-day official visit to the US Credit: PA

Nicola Sturgeon has expressed "doubt and scepticism" over the effectiveness of US air strikes in Syria.

Scotland's First Minister said she was concerned attacks would increase "uncertainty and unpredictability" in the Syrian conflict.

Ms Sturgeon, who has just completed a five-day official visit to the US, backed an intensification of efforts to broker peace and called on countries including the UK to do more to help those fleeing the conflict.

She said: "My doubt and my scepticism about simply dropping bombs is that it doesn't necessarily take us one single inch closer to that peaceful outcome."

She added: "What I understand is the instinct to do something in the face of the quite horrific chemical attack carried out by the Assad regime earlier this week.

"That regime is completely beyond the pale."

  1. Read more
  2. 42 updates
UK attacks Russian support for Syria regime after US airstrikes

More on this story